Last week, the much-anticipated Mitchell Report was released, detailing the rampant use of performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball.
Of course, even the most casual baseball fan already knew that the use of steroids and human growth hormone was as prevalent in the game as snow in a Canadian winter.
The centre of attention from the announcement has been the inclusion of Roger Clemens, arguably the best pitcher since the war, in the report. Thankfully, many in the media are painting him with the same brush as Barry Bonds, proving, at the very least, that those doing the accusing are not hypocrites.
But what is most important is this: during the alleged drug use by Clemens, Bonds, Andy Pettitte, and a slew of other major leaguers, it was not against the rules of the game to do so. Some might say you don't need a law saying you can't kill someone to know you shouldn't do it, but we do have such a law. Baseball didn't formally ban steroids until 2003, and HGH until 2005.
People are talking about if Clemens' vast records, like Bonds', should be labelled with an asterisk, or wiped out altogether. But history is history; it cannot be changed. It must be written as was, warts and giant heads and all.
The solution as I see it is simple: shut up and move on. These substances are against the rules of the game now, and testing is in place. For the sake of history, future baseball fans should know that in the last 10 years, any records or remarkable achievements should be taken with a grain of salt, and that they may not have been achieved honestly.
But the fact remains that they were achieved, so elect Clemens and Bonds to the Hall Of Fame (on the first ballot, of course) and say, from this moment on, that baseball is clean.
At least until the new drug du jour hits the clubhouse.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Humber Et Cetera Story Links
To read published articles from the Humber Et Cetera, please visit these links:
Hawks swept in three sets against Division leaders - 12/10/07
Hawks prevail in extra-sets win - 12/03/07
Bruins shot down - 11/21/07
Tough loss turns focus - 11/13/07
Hawks swept in three sets against Division leaders - 12/10/07
Hawks prevail in extra-sets win - 12/03/07
Bruins shot down - 11/21/07
Tough loss turns focus - 11/13/07
Monday, December 3, 2007
HELP! A Dumb Canadian Needs Some Answers
I love American football (note the adjective "American" to eliminate Canadian and soccer from this argument).
I have been an avid follower of the NFL for almost 20 years now - before that, it was all about finger-painting and avoiding the dreaded square block in round hole trick - and have tried mightily to follow the NCAA football season.
I enjoy the game as much as anyone else, and am awed by the sheer number of teams and players involved. If medicine had this kind of funding, I wouldn't have a stuffed nose right now.
But now that the "regular season" is done, and the bowl match-ups are set, I am throughly confused.
Hawaii finished the season at 12-0, the only undefeated team in the country. Yet, because of their "weak" conference and competition, they do not qualify for the national championship game, or anything remotely close.
Instead, the one-loss Ohio State Buckeyes play the two-loss LSU Tigers, although head coach Les Miles would want to add "undefeated in regulation."
The logic (or lack thereof) in picking who plays in which bowl seems preposterous to me. Every league at every level has some sort of playoff system to determine the champion, and the best example of this is in the NCAA itself, with their 64-team basketball tournament.
It seems a simple fix to me: have the top 16 teams (guaranteeing all conference champs a spot regardless of record) play a single-elimination tournament. That would mean 8 games one week, 4 games the next, and so on until a champion is crowned. There aren't any games scheduled in the first three weeks in December anyway, so logistically it would work.
It would also create excitement throughout the month, instead of now, where all other bowl games are meaningless in the big picture.
And, oh yeah, it would create a true national champion based on winning, not on computer formulas and polls.
One of these days, the NCAA will wake up and change their format for determining a winner in college football.
This season proves that day needs to come now.
I have been an avid follower of the NFL for almost 20 years now - before that, it was all about finger-painting and avoiding the dreaded square block in round hole trick - and have tried mightily to follow the NCAA football season.
I enjoy the game as much as anyone else, and am awed by the sheer number of teams and players involved. If medicine had this kind of funding, I wouldn't have a stuffed nose right now.
But now that the "regular season" is done, and the bowl match-ups are set, I am throughly confused.
Hawaii finished the season at 12-0, the only undefeated team in the country. Yet, because of their "weak" conference and competition, they do not qualify for the national championship game, or anything remotely close.
Instead, the one-loss Ohio State Buckeyes play the two-loss LSU Tigers, although head coach Les Miles would want to add "undefeated in regulation."
The logic (or lack thereof) in picking who plays in which bowl seems preposterous to me. Every league at every level has some sort of playoff system to determine the champion, and the best example of this is in the NCAA itself, with their 64-team basketball tournament.
It seems a simple fix to me: have the top 16 teams (guaranteeing all conference champs a spot regardless of record) play a single-elimination tournament. That would mean 8 games one week, 4 games the next, and so on until a champion is crowned. There aren't any games scheduled in the first three weeks in December anyway, so logistically it would work.
It would also create excitement throughout the month, instead of now, where all other bowl games are meaningless in the big picture.
And, oh yeah, it would create a true national champion based on winning, not on computer formulas and polls.
One of these days, the NCAA will wake up and change their format for determining a winner in college football.
This season proves that day needs to come now.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Bonds Indictment Shortsighted
On Thursday afternoon, Barry Bonds was indicted on four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice. The U.S. government says he lied under oath when he said he never knowingly took performance-enhancing drugs, and Bonds faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
The timing aside (the indictment coincided with the first day Bonds could sign with a team as a free agent), the indictment as a whole smells funny. We all remember Rafael Palmeiro pointing his finger, under oath, at the U.S. Congress and saying, quite plainly, that he had never taken steroids. Four months later, he was found to have been lying. Where is his indictment? Where is his guilty plea and jail time? Oh, that's right. Rafael Palmeiro didn't break baseball's greatest record this year.
The number of players who have taken steroids in all sports, never mind baseball, is growing by the week. Numerous players are found to have taken steroids or human growth hormone, and they are met with a slap on the wrist and a "you shouldn't do that again, young man" attitude.
Bonds is met with the full force of the United States Government.
The closest competition to this is American sprinter Marion Jones, who was also indicted on similar charges last month, and promptly pled guilty to them, and returned her 5 gold medals.
But they don't care about track and field. No one does.
It's all about Bonds, and if they can find him guilty, they can ignore his accomplishments and pretend the whole thing never happened.
This is an unacceptable course of action. The government allows Palmeiro to lie and Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa to dodge the questions about steroids, but wants to hang Bonds out to dry?
Barry Bonds, steroids or not, is the greatest position player in the last 30 years, and that is undisputed. Even before the alleged steroid use began, Bonds had won 4 MVP awards and was on pace to hit over 600 home runs.
Because he hit 762, the feds want a piece.
No one should be able to cheat in sports and get away with it. But the game suffers when one individual gets sacrified, while the other cheaters in his sport get a free ride to Cooperstown.
Let him stand trial, because that is the law. Just start the paperwork on everyone else involved.
The timing aside (the indictment coincided with the first day Bonds could sign with a team as a free agent), the indictment as a whole smells funny. We all remember Rafael Palmeiro pointing his finger, under oath, at the U.S. Congress and saying, quite plainly, that he had never taken steroids. Four months later, he was found to have been lying. Where is his indictment? Where is his guilty plea and jail time? Oh, that's right. Rafael Palmeiro didn't break baseball's greatest record this year.
The number of players who have taken steroids in all sports, never mind baseball, is growing by the week. Numerous players are found to have taken steroids or human growth hormone, and they are met with a slap on the wrist and a "you shouldn't do that again, young man" attitude.
Bonds is met with the full force of the United States Government.
The closest competition to this is American sprinter Marion Jones, who was also indicted on similar charges last month, and promptly pled guilty to them, and returned her 5 gold medals.
But they don't care about track and field. No one does.
It's all about Bonds, and if they can find him guilty, they can ignore his accomplishments and pretend the whole thing never happened.
This is an unacceptable course of action. The government allows Palmeiro to lie and Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa to dodge the questions about steroids, but wants to hang Bonds out to dry?
Barry Bonds, steroids or not, is the greatest position player in the last 30 years, and that is undisputed. Even before the alleged steroid use began, Bonds had won 4 MVP awards and was on pace to hit over 600 home runs.
Because he hit 762, the feds want a piece.
No one should be able to cheat in sports and get away with it. But the game suffers when one individual gets sacrified, while the other cheaters in his sport get a free ride to Cooperstown.
Let him stand trial, because that is the law. Just start the paperwork on everyone else involved.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Argos, Bills can reap mutual benefit
Friday, November 2, 2007
Just Call Me Roger Clemens
Okay, I know I said I was retiring from picks for the NFL, but this weekend's ultra-mega-super-gigantic game between the Patriots and the Colts deserves a pick, if only because there has not been a regular season game like this one in my lifetime.
The Pats are favoured by 5.5 points right now, and that spread has grown from 3 on Monday. It is hard to believe that a Super Bowl champ, who hasn't lost since last November (yes, one year ago now), and has beaten this opponent 3 straight times, including twice at New England, is an underdog. And I know that was a run-on sentence, but I don't care. It is that shocking.
The Patriots seem to do everything right this season, except play with class and dignity. If you're up 38-0 in the 4th quarter and you have 4th and 1 within easy field goal range, you kick the damn field goal. When you're up 45-0 (because, obviously, Darth Belichick went for the TD on the previous drive), you don't air it out every second play. You run out the clock and get ready for next week.
I am hoping beyond hope that the Colts dismantle the Pats on Sunday, but I know that isn't going to happen. It'll be a close game, and New England will probably lead early on.
I still like Indianapolis.
Colts 41, Patriots 37.
The deciding factor? Joseph Addai and Kenton Keith. The Colts running game is far superior to the Pats, and if Indy can control the clock in the 4th, they'll hang on for the ultimate victory. Well, besides that little rain-soaked game in February against the Bears.
The Pats are favoured by 5.5 points right now, and that spread has grown from 3 on Monday. It is hard to believe that a Super Bowl champ, who hasn't lost since last November (yes, one year ago now), and has beaten this opponent 3 straight times, including twice at New England, is an underdog. And I know that was a run-on sentence, but I don't care. It is that shocking.
The Patriots seem to do everything right this season, except play with class and dignity. If you're up 38-0 in the 4th quarter and you have 4th and 1 within easy field goal range, you kick the damn field goal. When you're up 45-0 (because, obviously, Darth Belichick went for the TD on the previous drive), you don't air it out every second play. You run out the clock and get ready for next week.
I am hoping beyond hope that the Colts dismantle the Pats on Sunday, but I know that isn't going to happen. It'll be a close game, and New England will probably lead early on.
I still like Indianapolis.
Colts 41, Patriots 37.
The deciding factor? Joseph Addai and Kenton Keith. The Colts running game is far superior to the Pats, and if Indy can control the clock in the 4th, they'll hang on for the ultimate victory. Well, besides that little rain-soaked game in February against the Bears.
Friday, October 19, 2007
If The Jets and Giants Can Do It...
It was reported yesterday that the Buffalo Bills want to play a pre-season game in Toronto next year and at least one regular season game there by 2009. There are some in the CFL that feel threatened by the idea, and rightfully so. When an Argonauts game is compared to a Bills game, the Canadian game looks more like American high school football teams playing than professional athletes.
Argos linebacker Mike O'Shea says Canadians are fans of the CFL game and not the NFL game. While that may be true in places like Regina, Winnipeg and Edmonton, where the CFL does extremely well, it is not the case here in T.O., where, as the Bills pointed out, many locals cross the border to watch Buffalo on Sundays rather than go to a half-empty Rogers Centre to watch the Argos.
Once this deal is approved, and there's no reason to think it won't, the Argos need to take a proactive approach with this. Work on a cross-promotion with the Bills to encourage those fans who focus on the NFL to embrace the Canadian game as well by implementing a deal on Argo tickets if fans buy Bills seats.
In the long run, if the Bills move to Toronto permanently, this type of relationship between the two franchises would go a long way to ensuring the Argos success against the NFL product. If a new stadium is needed for the Bills, move the Argos in with them, and market accordingly. If the price is the same, I guarantee the majority of Torontoians will watch the Bills instead of the Argos.
The Canadian game may be unique, but it is not in the same talent class as the NFL, and if this announcement is the first step in NFL expansion to Canada, the CFL, and especially the Argonauts, need to see it as an opportunity, not as a crisis.
First opportunity: how about a Bills v Argos pre-season game in August 2008 at the Rogers Centre, where the Bills are the "home" team? It would be a great chance to show Toronto a working relationship between these two teams. We always talk about how 2 hockey teams would work here, but what about 2 football teams from different leagues with different rules playing in the same stadium?
Besides, if the Jets and Giants can share a stadium and a city, why can't the Bills and Argonauts?
Argos linebacker Mike O'Shea says Canadians are fans of the CFL game and not the NFL game. While that may be true in places like Regina, Winnipeg and Edmonton, where the CFL does extremely well, it is not the case here in T.O., where, as the Bills pointed out, many locals cross the border to watch Buffalo on Sundays rather than go to a half-empty Rogers Centre to watch the Argos.
Once this deal is approved, and there's no reason to think it won't, the Argos need to take a proactive approach with this. Work on a cross-promotion with the Bills to encourage those fans who focus on the NFL to embrace the Canadian game as well by implementing a deal on Argo tickets if fans buy Bills seats.
In the long run, if the Bills move to Toronto permanently, this type of relationship between the two franchises would go a long way to ensuring the Argos success against the NFL product. If a new stadium is needed for the Bills, move the Argos in with them, and market accordingly. If the price is the same, I guarantee the majority of Torontoians will watch the Bills instead of the Argos.
The Canadian game may be unique, but it is not in the same talent class as the NFL, and if this announcement is the first step in NFL expansion to Canada, the CFL, and especially the Argonauts, need to see it as an opportunity, not as a crisis.
First opportunity: how about a Bills v Argos pre-season game in August 2008 at the Rogers Centre, where the Bills are the "home" team? It would be a great chance to show Toronto a working relationship between these two teams. We always talk about how 2 hockey teams would work here, but what about 2 football teams from different leagues with different rules playing in the same stadium?
Besides, if the Jets and Giants can share a stadium and a city, why can't the Bills and Argonauts?
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Indian Burns at Rocky Mountain High
Who you got, LeBron or Carmelo?
After a grueling 162 game season and two playoff rounds, it appears that we are set to have a Cleveland/Colorado World Series. The Rockies, of course, have already clinched their spot in the Fall Classic, winning what seems like 162 straight games. Seriously, it was 3 WEEKS ago that the Rockies last lost. That usually only happens in football, and even then, only with the Patriots and Colts.
Cleveland lit up Tim "Interstate speed knuckler" Wakefield for 7 in the 5th, and held on to a 7-3 final to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the BoSox. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Boston was down 3-0 to the Evil Empire in 2004, only to come back and win 8 straight against the Yankees and Cardinals to win the World Series.
Assuming Boston does not repeat their incredible feat 3 years ago, it is time to start talking about a Rockies/Indians match-up. Once the series is set, and because there will be between 3 and 5 days to talk about it, there will be an endless array of match-ups to look for.
I want to talk about how no one, maybe outside of Cleveland and Colorado, would have picked these teams to make it this far. It seems the tide is turning in Major League Baseball from a league dominated by the super-rich, to having some semblance of parity. It's not quite the NFL yet, but a Rockies/Indians World Series would go a long way to bridging that gap.
By the way, I know it's not set yet, but I would like to take this opportunity to pick Colorado to win it all. How can you go against a team this hot? Watch now, they'll get swept...
ADDENDUM: Did you watch? They did get swept. Only in America.
After a grueling 162 game season and two playoff rounds, it appears that we are set to have a Cleveland/Colorado World Series. The Rockies, of course, have already clinched their spot in the Fall Classic, winning what seems like 162 straight games. Seriously, it was 3 WEEKS ago that the Rockies last lost. That usually only happens in football, and even then, only with the Patriots and Colts.
Cleveland lit up Tim "Interstate speed knuckler" Wakefield for 7 in the 5th, and held on to a 7-3 final to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the BoSox. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Boston was down 3-0 to the Evil Empire in 2004, only to come back and win 8 straight against the Yankees and Cardinals to win the World Series.
Assuming Boston does not repeat their incredible feat 3 years ago, it is time to start talking about a Rockies/Indians match-up. Once the series is set, and because there will be between 3 and 5 days to talk about it, there will be an endless array of match-ups to look for.
I want to talk about how no one, maybe outside of Cleveland and Colorado, would have picked these teams to make it this far. It seems the tide is turning in Major League Baseball from a league dominated by the super-rich, to having some semblance of parity. It's not quite the NFL yet, but a Rockies/Indians World Series would go a long way to bridging that gap.
By the way, I know it's not set yet, but I would like to take this opportunity to pick Colorado to win it all. How can you go against a team this hot? Watch now, they'll get swept...
ADDENDUM: Did you watch? They did get swept. Only in America.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The Highs And Lows of Devotion
So, Monday night was, to put it lightly, an emotional rollercoaster. The Bills, who led 24-13 at one point in the 3rd quarter and had intercepted Tony Romo FIVE times in the game, ended up losing on the last play of the game (twice) due to a 53-yard field goal.
Now, my previous post seemed to indicate that the game was over with a lead like that, and with someone of Romo's talent playing that poorly. But of course, that is the beauty of sports, and lately, specifically the NFL. A league that has thrived on parity in recent years is struggling with that in 2007, what with the aforementioned Cowboys, Patriots and Colts dominating the league. Now that one of the league's worst teams (so far...) can lead a game for 59 minutes and 58 seconds yet still lose to the NFC's best (so far...) is a testament to the league itself, and the parity that still exists there.
Buffalo's first home Monday Night Football game in 13 years may have ended in disappointment, but in the end, it was the best thing for the game.
And not just because of next week's Patriots/Cowboys game either.
Now, my previous post seemed to indicate that the game was over with a lead like that, and with someone of Romo's talent playing that poorly. But of course, that is the beauty of sports, and lately, specifically the NFL. A league that has thrived on parity in recent years is struggling with that in 2007, what with the aforementioned Cowboys, Patriots and Colts dominating the league. Now that one of the league's worst teams (so far...) can lead a game for 59 minutes and 58 seconds yet still lose to the NFC's best (so far...) is a testament to the league itself, and the parity that still exists there.
Buffalo's first home Monday Night Football game in 13 years may have ended in disappointment, but in the end, it was the best thing for the game.
And not just because of next week's Patriots/Cowboys game either.
Monday, October 8, 2007
"If Life Has Taught Me One Lesson Repeatedly, It's To Know When I'm Beaten."
- Seymour Skinner
Today, 10:38 p.m., the Buffalo Bills are beating the undefeated Dallas Cowboys 24-13 in the 3rd quarter. The 1-4, rookie QB and running back led, no MNF appearance in a teenager's life, no playoff appearance in this century Bills are beating the new golden boy-led, twice Super Bowl blowout won Cowboys.
It was this game, of course, that I jumped off the Bills bandwagon and didn't pick them to win, or even cover, for the first time this year. (P.S., Chris Berman is right; No One Circles The Wagons Like The Buffalo Bills!)
Therefore, I would like to announce my retirement from picking NFL games, at least for the foreseeable future. Yes, most of it is because of my extremely heavy school and work loads, but mainly because Principal Skinner knows what he's talking about.
By the way, the Yankees are down 6-3 in the 7th, and look like their season is done. And just like the Cubs, multiple opportunities by the Yanks have been wasted. So long, dream ALCS matchup.
Go Bills!
Today, 10:38 p.m., the Buffalo Bills are beating the undefeated Dallas Cowboys 24-13 in the 3rd quarter. The 1-4, rookie QB and running back led, no MNF appearance in a teenager's life, no playoff appearance in this century Bills are beating the new golden boy-led, twice Super Bowl blowout won Cowboys.
It was this game, of course, that I jumped off the Bills bandwagon and didn't pick them to win, or even cover, for the first time this year. (P.S., Chris Berman is right; No One Circles The Wagons Like The Buffalo Bills!)
Therefore, I would like to announce my retirement from picking NFL games, at least for the foreseeable future. Yes, most of it is because of my extremely heavy school and work loads, but mainly because Principal Skinner knows what he's talking about.
By the way, the Yankees are down 6-3 in the 7th, and look like their season is done. And just like the Cubs, multiple opportunities by the Yanks have been wasted. So long, dream ALCS matchup.
Go Bills!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
NFL Week 4 Picks
Well, last week I was 7-7, which would be good enough if I was the Toronto Blue Jays...
But I digress.
Panthers @ Saints (3): Hangover or real trouble? It's hard to tell what is wrong with the Saints this year, and common sense says that after a 0-3 start and a bye, New Orleans should be able to turn it around against an average team like Carolina. I think it's real trouble. Panthers by 10.
Jaguars (2.5) @ Chiefs: The pathetic Kansas City Chiefs are tied with the equally horrible Broncos and Raiders at 2-2, and in 1st place in the AFC West. As bad as they've been, there's something about K.C. at home, even against a tough Jacksonville team. The Jags already won in Denver, but I don't think they can do it in Kansas City as well. Chiefs by 7.
Lions @ Redskins (3.5): This one's tough. Detroit's in the group of surprises along with Houston and Green Bay, and a big win over the Bears last week certainly helps them along. Washington comes off a bye and is having a decent start themselves. There's something about Detroit, but not in Washington. Redskins by 6.
Falcons @ Titans (8.5): Atlanta's coming off a big win (read: actually winning a game), so they have some momentum against a rested Tennessee team. The Titans will win, but not by 9. Titans by 3.
Dolphins @ Texans (6.5): Very few things make me smile more than seeing the Fins at 0-4. Make it 0-5! Texans by 10.
Seahawks @ Steelers (6.5): Seattle often gets forgotten because there's in the Pacific Northwest, but they are still one of the best teams in the NFC, and they haven't forgotten what happened two years ago February. Seahawks by 3.
Browns @ Patriots (16.5): No love for the Browns. None. Zero. Patriots by 10.
Cardinals (4.5) @ Rams: I remember watching CBS' pregame show on opening day, and Shannon Sharpe picked the Rams to go to the Super Bowl. Seriously. Cards by 14.
Jets @ Giants (3.5): Can't wait to see the fans in this game; which side gets more of the "home field advantage"? Too bad this only happens once every four years. The Jets need a break. Jets by 7.
Bucs @ Colts (10): I picked the Colts to win the Super Bowl again, and I like them here, but you've got to love the Bucs this year. They'll cover. Colts by 7.
Chargers @ Broncos (1.5): If there was a way for both these teams to lose this game, they would. But Denver will find a way to not lose. Broncos by 3.
Ravens (3.5) @ 49ers: With the injury to Alex Smith, it's unlikely that the Niners can do anything with a game like this. Ravens by 10.
Bears @ Packers (4.5): Brett Favre v Brian Griese/Rex Grossman. The Bears are in freefall, and it won't stop in Lambeau. Packers by 13.
Cowboys (12.5) @ Bills: Buffalo's first MNF game in recent memory. Super Bowl rematch times 2. Same result... Cowboys by 20.
Record: 22-35-3
But I digress.
Panthers @ Saints (3): Hangover or real trouble? It's hard to tell what is wrong with the Saints this year, and common sense says that after a 0-3 start and a bye, New Orleans should be able to turn it around against an average team like Carolina. I think it's real trouble. Panthers by 10.
Jaguars (2.5) @ Chiefs: The pathetic Kansas City Chiefs are tied with the equally horrible Broncos and Raiders at 2-2, and in 1st place in the AFC West. As bad as they've been, there's something about K.C. at home, even against a tough Jacksonville team. The Jags already won in Denver, but I don't think they can do it in Kansas City as well. Chiefs by 7.
Lions @ Redskins (3.5): This one's tough. Detroit's in the group of surprises along with Houston and Green Bay, and a big win over the Bears last week certainly helps them along. Washington comes off a bye and is having a decent start themselves. There's something about Detroit, but not in Washington. Redskins by 6.
Falcons @ Titans (8.5): Atlanta's coming off a big win (read: actually winning a game), so they have some momentum against a rested Tennessee team. The Titans will win, but not by 9. Titans by 3.
Dolphins @ Texans (6.5): Very few things make me smile more than seeing the Fins at 0-4. Make it 0-5! Texans by 10.
Seahawks @ Steelers (6.5): Seattle often gets forgotten because there's in the Pacific Northwest, but they are still one of the best teams in the NFC, and they haven't forgotten what happened two years ago February. Seahawks by 3.
Browns @ Patriots (16.5): No love for the Browns. None. Zero. Patriots by 10.
Cardinals (4.5) @ Rams: I remember watching CBS' pregame show on opening day, and Shannon Sharpe picked the Rams to go to the Super Bowl. Seriously. Cards by 14.
Jets @ Giants (3.5): Can't wait to see the fans in this game; which side gets more of the "home field advantage"? Too bad this only happens once every four years. The Jets need a break. Jets by 7.
Bucs @ Colts (10): I picked the Colts to win the Super Bowl again, and I like them here, but you've got to love the Bucs this year. They'll cover. Colts by 7.
Chargers @ Broncos (1.5): If there was a way for both these teams to lose this game, they would. But Denver will find a way to not lose. Broncos by 3.
Ravens (3.5) @ 49ers: With the injury to Alex Smith, it's unlikely that the Niners can do anything with a game like this. Ravens by 10.
Bears @ Packers (4.5): Brett Favre v Brian Griese/Rex Grossman. The Bears are in freefall, and it won't stop in Lambeau. Packers by 13.
Cowboys (12.5) @ Bills: Buffalo's first MNF game in recent memory. Super Bowl rematch times 2. Same result... Cowboys by 20.
Record: 22-35-3
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Is There An Echo in Here?
This past July, I mentioned that the Wednesday of the baseball all-star break was the worst sports day of the year, and I praised the NHL for releasing their schedule on that day.
Now, here we are, Tuesday October 2nd, the second worst day of the sports year. The baseball playoffs begin tomorrow after a fantastic wild-card playoff game last night in Denver. The NFL is always off during the week this time of year, and NBA training camps are getting set to open.
The NHL starts (in North America) tomorrow. How great would it be for this struggling league to open up with a huge slate of games on a night where NOTHING else is on tap? A league that has virtually no television exposure in the U.S. needs a break, and opening on a night against 3 baseball playoff series opening up is ridiculous.
I have no game to watch tonight, which is unfortunate, because tomorrow, I and other sports fans (especially in Canada) will have to choose between the Leafs/Sens and the Red Sox/Angels.
It shouldn't have to be this way, and the NHL had the control to change it for their own benefit. They blew it.
Now, here we are, Tuesday October 2nd, the second worst day of the sports year. The baseball playoffs begin tomorrow after a fantastic wild-card playoff game last night in Denver. The NFL is always off during the week this time of year, and NBA training camps are getting set to open.
The NHL starts (in North America) tomorrow. How great would it be for this struggling league to open up with a huge slate of games on a night where NOTHING else is on tap? A league that has virtually no television exposure in the U.S. needs a break, and opening on a night against 3 baseball playoff series opening up is ridiculous.
I have no game to watch tonight, which is unfortunate, because tomorrow, I and other sports fans (especially in Canada) will have to choose between the Leafs/Sens and the Red Sox/Angels.
It shouldn't have to be this way, and the NHL had the control to change it for their own benefit. They blew it.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
NFL Week 3 Picks
Okay, here comes my turnaround week. No, seriously...
Raiders @ Dolphins (3.5): Neither one of these teams seems destined to do anything except be a doormat for the good teams in the AFC, but Miami's got the edge in this one. Barely. Dolphins by 7.
Texans (4.5) @ Falcons: Atlanta's got to win one game soon, but with former Falcon Matt Schaub returning to the Georgia Dome, it won't be this one. Texans by 10.
Ravens (4.5) @ Browns: It's still hard to believe that Cleveland beat Cincinnati 51-45 two weeks ago, but they seem to be on the right track for once. That won't matter against the Raven defense. Ravens by 10.
Bears (4.5) @ Lions: It certainly seems like the Bears are moving down and the Lions are moving up, especially with the Bears' decision to change their starting quarterback. Maybe this is hope for me, but I like Detroit here. Lions by 3.
Packers (3.5) @ Vikings: Green Bay seems to be untouchable this year, and when you play the Vikings, you win. Packers by 14.
Rams @ Cowboys (13.5): Speaking of teams who seem untouchable this year... Cowboys by 17.
Jets (4.5) @ Bills: Buffalo's back home after 2 awful road games (read: horrendously awful), so they should play better. And J.P. Losman's out, so they can't be much worse. Bills by 3.
Bucs @ Panthers (3): Both of these teams appear to be average, so I'll take the home team. Panthers by 7.
Seahawks (2.5) @ 49ers: With San Fran on the upswing, this is a big test for the Niners in this division game. Seattle is the better team, though. Seahawks by 7.
Steelers (7.5) @ Cardinals: One of these days, Pittsburgh is going to play a good team, right? Right? Steelers by 14.
Chiefs @ Chargers (12.5): If San Diego doesn't win this game, they don't deserve to be in the same class as the Colts, Pats, or Steelers. Chargers by 17.
Broncos @ Colts (10.5): The Broncos are the worst 2-1 team in the league, and Indy will crush them. Colts by 17.
Eagles (3.5) @ Giants: I have no idea. None. Neither one of these teams has impressed this year, and the loser of this game is in trouble in the NFC East. On a hunch, I'll take the Giants. Giants by 3.
Patriots (7.5) @ Bengals: It's getting very difficult to keep picking against New England. Oh well... Bengals by 3.
Record: 15-28-3
Raiders @ Dolphins (3.5): Neither one of these teams seems destined to do anything except be a doormat for the good teams in the AFC, but Miami's got the edge in this one. Barely. Dolphins by 7.
Texans (4.5) @ Falcons: Atlanta's got to win one game soon, but with former Falcon Matt Schaub returning to the Georgia Dome, it won't be this one. Texans by 10.
Ravens (4.5) @ Browns: It's still hard to believe that Cleveland beat Cincinnati 51-45 two weeks ago, but they seem to be on the right track for once. That won't matter against the Raven defense. Ravens by 10.
Bears (4.5) @ Lions: It certainly seems like the Bears are moving down and the Lions are moving up, especially with the Bears' decision to change their starting quarterback. Maybe this is hope for me, but I like Detroit here. Lions by 3.
Packers (3.5) @ Vikings: Green Bay seems to be untouchable this year, and when you play the Vikings, you win. Packers by 14.
Rams @ Cowboys (13.5): Speaking of teams who seem untouchable this year... Cowboys by 17.
Jets (4.5) @ Bills: Buffalo's back home after 2 awful road games (read: horrendously awful), so they should play better. And J.P. Losman's out, so they can't be much worse. Bills by 3.
Bucs @ Panthers (3): Both of these teams appear to be average, so I'll take the home team. Panthers by 7.
Seahawks (2.5) @ 49ers: With San Fran on the upswing, this is a big test for the Niners in this division game. Seattle is the better team, though. Seahawks by 7.
Steelers (7.5) @ Cardinals: One of these days, Pittsburgh is going to play a good team, right? Right? Steelers by 14.
Chiefs @ Chargers (12.5): If San Diego doesn't win this game, they don't deserve to be in the same class as the Colts, Pats, or Steelers. Chargers by 17.
Broncos @ Colts (10.5): The Broncos are the worst 2-1 team in the league, and Indy will crush them. Colts by 17.
Eagles (3.5) @ Giants: I have no idea. None. Neither one of these teams has impressed this year, and the loser of this game is in trouble in the NFC East. On a hunch, I'll take the Giants. Giants by 3.
Patriots (7.5) @ Bengals: It's getting very difficult to keep picking against New England. Oh well... Bengals by 3.
Record: 15-28-3
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The Horror, The Horror...
Far be it for me to compare my awful picks last week (3 right) to Apocalypse Now, but when you fail as spectacularly as I did, I think it's just.
Here comes my turnaround week.
Cardinals @ Ravens (7.5): Without Steve McNair at quarterback, this is a very different Baltimore team. But their defense should be good enough to shut down a relatively young Arizona team, new coach and former Steeler Ken Whisenhunt notwithstanding. Ravens by 10.
Dolphins @ Jets (3): Is it too late to take back my pick for the Jets making the playoffs? They have to turn it around at home against the woeful Dolphins, right? Right? Jets by 14.
Chargers (5.5) @ Packers: All of a sudden, this is a very interesting match-up. It's hard not to think that the Chargers should, and will, win this game (hence the spread), but there seems to be something about the Pack this year. Yes, they beat Philly and New York, while San Diego had to play the Bears and Pats, but I think the Packers can pull off the upset, or at the very least, keep it close. Packers by 3.
Vikings @ Chiefs (2.5): Kansas City has, historically, been a very good home team, and even though they've stunk this year, they should be able to turn it around against Minnesota. Chiefs by 10.
49ers @ Steelers (9.5): No love for San Fran, huh? The Niners are 2-0 too, albeit against weak competition. Oh wait, Pittsburgh beat Cleveland and Buffalo. San Fran covers. Steelers by 4.
Rams @ Bucs (4.5): St. Louis needs a win to prove that they can compete for a wild card in the dreadful NFC. Tampa just wants to prove that last week wasn't a fluke. It wasn't. Bucs by 7.
Colts (7) @ Texans: It's hard to imagine Houston, even with a 2-0 start, competing with the champs. I'm sorry, it just is. Colts by 14.
Bills @ Patriots (17.5): Now that's a spread. How can anyone give a team an 18 point spread, even though it's the "almighty" Patriots. The Bills defense is solid, and they'll keep it close. Pats by 14.
Lions @ Eagles (4.5): Speaking of (1) no love and (2) wanting to take back my playoff picks... Eagles by 3.
Bengals @ Seahawks (3.5): This one mystifies me. Cincinnati is coming off an embarrassing performance defensively, and both teams are capable of a lot of points. Uh, Seattle? Seahawks by 7.
Jaguars @ Broncos (3.5): Denver is certainly the most overrated of the 2-0 teams this year, what with 2 last second wins against sub-par opponents. Jacksonville wants to prove they belong in the class of the AFC. Call it a hunch... Jags by 7.
Browns @ Raiders (3): For the two people watching this game outside of Cleveland and Oakland, we salute you. Raiders by 6.
Giants @ Redskins (4.5): Speaking of changing my playoff picks...boy, was I off on the Giants? Redskins by 7.
Cowboys @ Bears (3): Game of the day. Dallas is poised to take over the NFC from the Bears and Saints, and this is the game to do it. They will. Cowboys by 10.
Titans @ Saints (3.5): Home opener + not wanting to start 0-3 + Reggie v Vince = Saints by 10.
Record: 10-19-2
Here comes my turnaround week.
Cardinals @ Ravens (7.5): Without Steve McNair at quarterback, this is a very different Baltimore team. But their defense should be good enough to shut down a relatively young Arizona team, new coach and former Steeler Ken Whisenhunt notwithstanding. Ravens by 10.
Dolphins @ Jets (3): Is it too late to take back my pick for the Jets making the playoffs? They have to turn it around at home against the woeful Dolphins, right? Right? Jets by 14.
Chargers (5.5) @ Packers: All of a sudden, this is a very interesting match-up. It's hard not to think that the Chargers should, and will, win this game (hence the spread), but there seems to be something about the Pack this year. Yes, they beat Philly and New York, while San Diego had to play the Bears and Pats, but I think the Packers can pull off the upset, or at the very least, keep it close. Packers by 3.
Vikings @ Chiefs (2.5): Kansas City has, historically, been a very good home team, and even though they've stunk this year, they should be able to turn it around against Minnesota. Chiefs by 10.
49ers @ Steelers (9.5): No love for San Fran, huh? The Niners are 2-0 too, albeit against weak competition. Oh wait, Pittsburgh beat Cleveland and Buffalo. San Fran covers. Steelers by 4.
Rams @ Bucs (4.5): St. Louis needs a win to prove that they can compete for a wild card in the dreadful NFC. Tampa just wants to prove that last week wasn't a fluke. It wasn't. Bucs by 7.
Colts (7) @ Texans: It's hard to imagine Houston, even with a 2-0 start, competing with the champs. I'm sorry, it just is. Colts by 14.
Bills @ Patriots (17.5): Now that's a spread. How can anyone give a team an 18 point spread, even though it's the "almighty" Patriots. The Bills defense is solid, and they'll keep it close. Pats by 14.
Lions @ Eagles (4.5): Speaking of (1) no love and (2) wanting to take back my playoff picks... Eagles by 3.
Bengals @ Seahawks (3.5): This one mystifies me. Cincinnati is coming off an embarrassing performance defensively, and both teams are capable of a lot of points. Uh, Seattle? Seahawks by 7.
Jaguars @ Broncos (3.5): Denver is certainly the most overrated of the 2-0 teams this year, what with 2 last second wins against sub-par opponents. Jacksonville wants to prove they belong in the class of the AFC. Call it a hunch... Jags by 7.
Browns @ Raiders (3): For the two people watching this game outside of Cleveland and Oakland, we salute you. Raiders by 6.
Giants @ Redskins (4.5): Speaking of changing my playoff picks...boy, was I off on the Giants? Redskins by 7.
Cowboys @ Bears (3): Game of the day. Dallas is poised to take over the NFC from the Bears and Saints, and this is the game to do it. They will. Cowboys by 10.
Titans @ Saints (3.5): Home opener + not wanting to start 0-3 + Reggie v Vince = Saints by 10.
Record: 10-19-2
Thursday, September 13, 2007
NFL Week 2 Picks
The first week of the season did provide some exciting moments (or exasperating if you're a Bills fan, both for the game's result and the horrible injury that occurred), but on the whole, it was a rather dull week of games. Let's hope for a rebound this week.
Falcons @ Jaguars (10.5): If Jacksonville was playing any other team, they would probably be underdogs, or at least a slight favourite, as opposed to the 10.5 points given here. After a sloppy loss at home to a Tennessee team that played poorly, the Jags get to stay home and play what will be the worst team this season. Jaguars by 14.
Colts (7) @ Titans: Indianapolis looked like a team possessed on opening night, particularly in the second half. As mentioned, the Titans didn't look good in winning. Call it a walk. Colts by 20.
Bengals (7.5) @ Browns: Day one of the Derek Anderson era in Cleveland begins. Brady Quinn will start next week. Bengals by 17.
Texans @ Panthers (7): Carolina looked good last week in beating the Rams in St. Louis, but Houston surprised a lot of people, myself included, in crushing the Chiefs. I think it'll be close, but the Panthers squeak it out. Panthers by 2.
Packers (1.5) @ Giants: With the injury to Eli Manning (reports indicate anywhere from being out for a month to starting on Sunday), this game is up in the air. Green Bay was average last week at home, and the Giants will want to prove their defensive failings in Dallas were a fluke. Giants by 3.
Saints (3.5) @ Bucs: Was New Orleans' debut game an aberration, or is this team really going to have a let down year? If they are, it won't happen in Tampa. Saints by 10.
Bills @ Steelers (10.5): Buffalo comes into this game without much good feeling; they lost a heartbreaking game to Denver at home, and have lost their back-up tight end forever, with the grim possibility that he may never walk again. If they're down early, they're done. But I think they'll keep it close. Steelers by 7.
49ers @ Rams (3.5): Neither team looked particularly good last week, but the Niners won, so the Rams should play like they need the win more. Being at home, I think they'll pull it out. Rams by 10.
Seahawks (3.5) @ Cardinals: Young teams traditionally have trouble the game after a tough loss (just look at their collapse against the Bears last year), and the Seahawks are Super Bowl contenders. Seems easy to me. Seahawks by 14.
Cowboys (5.5) @ Dolphins: Miami's home opener will likely result in another disappointment for the Dolphins. They lost to Washington, and Dallas is a lot better than Washington. Cowboys by 10.
Vikings @ Lions (3): It's a toss-up game, featuring two bad teams who are 1-0. Take the home team. Lions by 6.
Chiefs @ Bears (13.5): It's hard to give Chicago two TD's here, especially considering their inept offense. I like K.C. to cover. Bears by 7.
Raiders @ Broncos (10.5): Denver at home + Raiders anywhere + Russell signing = No chance for Oakland. Broncos by 17.
Jets @ Ravens (10): Has everyone forgotten the Jets' strong year last year? Baltimore is a good team, but so is New York. If they don't win, they'll at least cover. Ravens by 3.
Chargers @ Patriots (3.5): L.T. was right after all. The cheating scandal involving the Patriots last week might provide enough of a distraction for the elite Chargers to steal one on the road. Revenge is a dish... Chargers by 10.
Redskins @ Eagles (7.5): Philly needs a rebound game. Who better than the Skins at home? Eagles by 10.
Record: 7-7-1
Falcons @ Jaguars (10.5): If Jacksonville was playing any other team, they would probably be underdogs, or at least a slight favourite, as opposed to the 10.5 points given here. After a sloppy loss at home to a Tennessee team that played poorly, the Jags get to stay home and play what will be the worst team this season. Jaguars by 14.
Colts (7) @ Titans: Indianapolis looked like a team possessed on opening night, particularly in the second half. As mentioned, the Titans didn't look good in winning. Call it a walk. Colts by 20.
Bengals (7.5) @ Browns: Day one of the Derek Anderson era in Cleveland begins. Brady Quinn will start next week. Bengals by 17.
Texans @ Panthers (7): Carolina looked good last week in beating the Rams in St. Louis, but Houston surprised a lot of people, myself included, in crushing the Chiefs. I think it'll be close, but the Panthers squeak it out. Panthers by 2.
Packers (1.5) @ Giants: With the injury to Eli Manning (reports indicate anywhere from being out for a month to starting on Sunday), this game is up in the air. Green Bay was average last week at home, and the Giants will want to prove their defensive failings in Dallas were a fluke. Giants by 3.
Saints (3.5) @ Bucs: Was New Orleans' debut game an aberration, or is this team really going to have a let down year? If they are, it won't happen in Tampa. Saints by 10.
Bills @ Steelers (10.5): Buffalo comes into this game without much good feeling; they lost a heartbreaking game to Denver at home, and have lost their back-up tight end forever, with the grim possibility that he may never walk again. If they're down early, they're done. But I think they'll keep it close. Steelers by 7.
49ers @ Rams (3.5): Neither team looked particularly good last week, but the Niners won, so the Rams should play like they need the win more. Being at home, I think they'll pull it out. Rams by 10.
Seahawks (3.5) @ Cardinals: Young teams traditionally have trouble the game after a tough loss (just look at their collapse against the Bears last year), and the Seahawks are Super Bowl contenders. Seems easy to me. Seahawks by 14.
Cowboys (5.5) @ Dolphins: Miami's home opener will likely result in another disappointment for the Dolphins. They lost to Washington, and Dallas is a lot better than Washington. Cowboys by 10.
Vikings @ Lions (3): It's a toss-up game, featuring two bad teams who are 1-0. Take the home team. Lions by 6.
Chiefs @ Bears (13.5): It's hard to give Chicago two TD's here, especially considering their inept offense. I like K.C. to cover. Bears by 7.
Raiders @ Broncos (10.5): Denver at home + Raiders anywhere + Russell signing = No chance for Oakland. Broncos by 17.
Jets @ Ravens (10): Has everyone forgotten the Jets' strong year last year? Baltimore is a good team, but so is New York. If they don't win, they'll at least cover. Ravens by 3.
Chargers @ Patriots (3.5): L.T. was right after all. The cheating scandal involving the Patriots last week might provide enough of a distraction for the elite Chargers to steal one on the road. Revenge is a dish... Chargers by 10.
Redskins @ Eagles (7.5): Philly needs a rebound game. Who better than the Skins at home? Eagles by 10.
Record: 7-7-1
Sunday, September 9, 2007
When 162 Games Aren't Enough
I realized this weekend, strangely while watching opening Sunday in the NFL, that I haven't written much about the Blue Jays lately. And after this weekend's performance of Canada's lone pro ball team, I understand why.
The Toronto Blue Jays just lost two games in a row in Tampa Bay.
In Tampa Bay.
While "battling" for a playoff spot, and having only 3 teams to pass, the Jays lost 2 in a row to one of baseball's worst.
The Jays always seem to be around the level of superior play needed to contend year after year, and are always ahead of the level of mediocrity that befalls teams like the Devil Rays. But when you can't beat a team like that before a home stand against the elite in your division, the Yankees and the Red Sox, you don't deserve to be contending for a playoff spot.
When Jeremy Accardo gave up his second two run homer of the 9th inning last night, my heart sank. Mainly because I realized that a team like this needs a lot more than 162 games to get a playoff spot.
And that is sad.
The Toronto Blue Jays just lost two games in a row in Tampa Bay.
In Tampa Bay.
While "battling" for a playoff spot, and having only 3 teams to pass, the Jays lost 2 in a row to one of baseball's worst.
The Jays always seem to be around the level of superior play needed to contend year after year, and are always ahead of the level of mediocrity that befalls teams like the Devil Rays. But when you can't beat a team like that before a home stand against the elite in your division, the Yankees and the Red Sox, you don't deserve to be contending for a playoff spot.
When Jeremy Accardo gave up his second two run homer of the 9th inning last night, my heart sank. Mainly because I realized that a team like this needs a lot more than 162 games to get a playoff spot.
And that is sad.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
NFL Week 1 Picks
Well, it's that time again, where I try vainly to predict the outcomes in the NFL. I wasn't able to get this up in time for the Thursday game, so I won't count it at all. However, I will say that I would have picked the Colts to cover...
Steelers (6.5) @ Browns: It's hard to imagine the Browns being any good this year, although they should be decent in a couple seasons. The Steelers are only two years removed from being champs, and even with a new coach, they should be able to tame Cleveland. Steelers by 10.
Dolphins @ Redskins (3): Neither one of these teams seems to be heading anywhere in particular; Miami's starting a 37-year-old quarterback with a new coach, and Washington has the oldest coach with a new QB. I'll take the home team for no particular reason. Redskins by 6.
Eagles (3.5) @ Packers: Everyone seems to have Philadelphia going far this year, even to the Super Bowl in certain instances. Not me. Although I'll give them a win in Green Bay. Eagles by 14.
Broncos (4) @ Bills: Speaking of teams that everyone but me thinks will do well in '07, here's Denver. I'm a Bills fan, and, as much as I think they'll be below average this year, I always like them at home on opening day. Bills by 3.
Chiefs @ Texans (3): Why are the Texans favoured over a wild card team from last year? No, seriously...why?! Chiefs by 10.
Titans @ Jaguars (7): Tennessee is the darling of the league this year (see the cover of Madden O8) but they are still a year or two away from putting it all together again. Jacksonville, on the other hand, has a fantastic defense and an amazing running game. I think at the end of the year they'll regret cutting Byron Leftwich, but not on Sunday. Jaguars by 10.
Patriots (7.5) @ Jets: The Jets were another of those surprises last year, but everyone loves the Patriots this year. Not me. Call it a hunch. Jets by 6.
Panthers @ Rams (2.5): If either one of these teams were in the AFC, they'd be cooked by Canadian Thanksgiving. But they're not, so they'll contend for a playoff spot. As for Sunday, i'll take the Rams by 10.
Falcons @ Vikings (3.5): If I'm the Falcons, I'm very glad that the season starts with 2 road games; at least that way, the Vick questions back home are delayed a bit. They'll still lose on the road, though, even against the Vikes. Vikings by 7.
Bears @ Chargers (6.5): Game of the day, although it would be better a little later in the year. San Diego needs to prove that last year was a stepping stone to greatness; Rex Grossman needs to prove he can play at an elite level all year. SD wins, but they won't cover. Chargers by 3.
Bucs @ Seahawks (7.5): Seattle seems destined for the playoffs again; Tampa's set for another subpar season. And Seattle's fantastic at home. Seahawks by 17.
Lions @ Raiders (2.5): Soak it in, the Raiders are favoured in a game. They'll blow it. Lions by 6.
Giants @ Cowboys (6.5): Since I picked Dallas to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year, you'd think I'd take them big here, but I don't think they can do that here. But they will win on Sunday. Cowboys by 2.
Ravens @ Bengals (2.5): This is Cincinnati's year to prove to the league that they belong in the elite of it. The Ravens think they're there too, so this is a matchup to watch. I'll take the home team. Bengals by 3.
Cardinals @ 49ers (3.5): Both of these teams seem to be on the cusp on taking that "next step", where they jump from perennial loser to perennial contender. I think it'll be close here, so I'll take the spread. 49ers by 3.
Steelers (6.5) @ Browns: It's hard to imagine the Browns being any good this year, although they should be decent in a couple seasons. The Steelers are only two years removed from being champs, and even with a new coach, they should be able to tame Cleveland. Steelers by 10.
Dolphins @ Redskins (3): Neither one of these teams seems to be heading anywhere in particular; Miami's starting a 37-year-old quarterback with a new coach, and Washington has the oldest coach with a new QB. I'll take the home team for no particular reason. Redskins by 6.
Eagles (3.5) @ Packers: Everyone seems to have Philadelphia going far this year, even to the Super Bowl in certain instances. Not me. Although I'll give them a win in Green Bay. Eagles by 14.
Broncos (4) @ Bills: Speaking of teams that everyone but me thinks will do well in '07, here's Denver. I'm a Bills fan, and, as much as I think they'll be below average this year, I always like them at home on opening day. Bills by 3.
Chiefs @ Texans (3): Why are the Texans favoured over a wild card team from last year? No, seriously...why?! Chiefs by 10.
Titans @ Jaguars (7): Tennessee is the darling of the league this year (see the cover of Madden O8) but they are still a year or two away from putting it all together again. Jacksonville, on the other hand, has a fantastic defense and an amazing running game. I think at the end of the year they'll regret cutting Byron Leftwich, but not on Sunday. Jaguars by 10.
Patriots (7.5) @ Jets: The Jets were another of those surprises last year, but everyone loves the Patriots this year. Not me. Call it a hunch. Jets by 6.
Panthers @ Rams (2.5): If either one of these teams were in the AFC, they'd be cooked by Canadian Thanksgiving. But they're not, so they'll contend for a playoff spot. As for Sunday, i'll take the Rams by 10.
Falcons @ Vikings (3.5): If I'm the Falcons, I'm very glad that the season starts with 2 road games; at least that way, the Vick questions back home are delayed a bit. They'll still lose on the road, though, even against the Vikes. Vikings by 7.
Bears @ Chargers (6.5): Game of the day, although it would be better a little later in the year. San Diego needs to prove that last year was a stepping stone to greatness; Rex Grossman needs to prove he can play at an elite level all year. SD wins, but they won't cover. Chargers by 3.
Bucs @ Seahawks (7.5): Seattle seems destined for the playoffs again; Tampa's set for another subpar season. And Seattle's fantastic at home. Seahawks by 17.
Lions @ Raiders (2.5): Soak it in, the Raiders are favoured in a game. They'll blow it. Lions by 6.
Giants @ Cowboys (6.5): Since I picked Dallas to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year, you'd think I'd take them big here, but I don't think they can do that here. But they will win on Sunday. Cowboys by 2.
Ravens @ Bengals (2.5): This is Cincinnati's year to prove to the league that they belong in the elite of it. The Ravens think they're there too, so this is a matchup to watch. I'll take the home team. Bengals by 3.
Cardinals @ 49ers (3.5): Both of these teams seem to be on the cusp on taking that "next step", where they jump from perennial loser to perennial contender. I think it'll be close here, so I'll take the spread. 49ers by 3.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Hooray, Hooray, It's Labour Day! Real Football Begins Today!
The greatest two months of the sport year began this weekend, with the return of U.S. College Football and the begin of baseball's stretch drive. But of course, the real fun starts on Thursday, when the NFL season begins in Indianapolis when the champs host the Saints.
Many people think this is a preview of the Super Bowl in February, and I agree with half of that. Here's my picks for the year:
AFC
East
New England (12-4)
New York (11-5) *
Buffalo (7-9)
Miami (7-9)
West
San Diego (11-5)
Denver (8-8)
Kansas City (7-9)
Oakland (3-13)
North
Cincinnati (11-5)
Baltimore (10-6) *
Pittsburgh (8-8)
Cleveland (4-12)
South
Indianapolis (12-4)
Tennessee (9-7)
Jacksonville (9-7)
Houston (5-11)
NFC
East
Dallas (9-7)
Philadelphia (9-7) *
New York (9-7) *
Washington (6-10)
West
Seattle (11-5)
Arizona (9-7)
San Francisco (7-9)
St. Louis (7-9)
North
Chicago (11-5)
Detroit (7-9)
Green Bay (7-9)
Minnesota (5-11)
South
New Orleans (11-5)
Carolina (6-10)
Tampa Bay (5-11)
Atlanta (3-13)
* - Wild Card
Playoffs:
AFC: (3) San Diego over (6) Baltimore; (5) New York over (4) Cincinnati
(1) Indianapolis over (5) New York; (3) San Diego over (2) New England
(1) Indianapolis over (3) San Diego
NFC: (3) Seattle over (6) New York; (4) Dallas over (5) Philadelphia
(4) Dallas over (1) Chicago; (2) New Orleans over (3) Seattle
(4) Dallas over (2) New Orleans
SUPER BOWL: Indianapolis over Dallas
Many people think this is a preview of the Super Bowl in February, and I agree with half of that. Here's my picks for the year:
AFC
East
New England (12-4)
New York (11-5) *
Buffalo (7-9)
Miami (7-9)
West
San Diego (11-5)
Denver (8-8)
Kansas City (7-9)
Oakland (3-13)
North
Cincinnati (11-5)
Baltimore (10-6) *
Pittsburgh (8-8)
Cleveland (4-12)
South
Indianapolis (12-4)
Tennessee (9-7)
Jacksonville (9-7)
Houston (5-11)
NFC
East
Dallas (9-7)
Philadelphia (9-7) *
New York (9-7) *
Washington (6-10)
West
Seattle (11-5)
Arizona (9-7)
San Francisco (7-9)
St. Louis (7-9)
North
Chicago (11-5)
Detroit (7-9)
Green Bay (7-9)
Minnesota (5-11)
South
New Orleans (11-5)
Carolina (6-10)
Tampa Bay (5-11)
Atlanta (3-13)
* - Wild Card
Playoffs:
AFC: (3) San Diego over (6) Baltimore; (5) New York over (4) Cincinnati
(1) Indianapolis over (5) New York; (3) San Diego over (2) New England
(1) Indianapolis over (3) San Diego
NFC: (3) Seattle over (6) New York; (4) Dallas over (5) Philadelphia
(4) Dallas over (1) Chicago; (2) New Orleans over (3) Seattle
(4) Dallas over (2) New Orleans
SUPER BOWL: Indianapolis over Dallas
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
If Sport Was Religion
If sport was religion, my faith would be waning right now.
In the last week, now former NBA referee Tim Donaghy was investigated for betting on games for the last two years, including ones he oversaw, and NFL star quarterback Michael Vick was indicted for his involvement in a dogfighting ring.
The majority of attention from sports fans, and casual observers in general, has been to the Vick story, and not just because that story broke first.
Vick is a star in America's most popular sport, and his alleged crime disturbs the vast majority of people for its disgusting content.
As horrible as Vick's alleged crime is, it is not at all related to his sport, and does not put his sport's integrity in jeopardy.
The Tim Donaghy situation goes well beyond that of Pete Rose, and is the closest the modern day sports world has to the Black Sox scandal of 1919, when the A.L. Champion White Sox threw the World Series against the Reds.
After a playoff that featured an horrendous series of blunders, particularly in the Suns-Spurs series, this is the last thing the NBA needed. Donaghy's alleged crimes put every call, every game, and every record the league has into question, and as much as Commissioner David Stern would like to believe that it is an isolated incident, nothing of the sort can be taken at face value anymore.
Stern, certainly a better commissioner than his counterparts in the other leagues, needs to issue a full blown investigation into all facets of the league, not just referees. No aspect of the league can receive the benefit of the doubt if the NBA wants to repair its image, and the league with the biggest crackdown on gambling needs to prove to the fans that it is a clean game.
Sport is not a religion. But if Stern wants his paying patrons to believe again, he'll need to perform a miracle.
In the last week, now former NBA referee Tim Donaghy was investigated for betting on games for the last two years, including ones he oversaw, and NFL star quarterback Michael Vick was indicted for his involvement in a dogfighting ring.
The majority of attention from sports fans, and casual observers in general, has been to the Vick story, and not just because that story broke first.
Vick is a star in America's most popular sport, and his alleged crime disturbs the vast majority of people for its disgusting content.
As horrible as Vick's alleged crime is, it is not at all related to his sport, and does not put his sport's integrity in jeopardy.
The Tim Donaghy situation goes well beyond that of Pete Rose, and is the closest the modern day sports world has to the Black Sox scandal of 1919, when the A.L. Champion White Sox threw the World Series against the Reds.
After a playoff that featured an horrendous series of blunders, particularly in the Suns-Spurs series, this is the last thing the NBA needed. Donaghy's alleged crimes put every call, every game, and every record the league has into question, and as much as Commissioner David Stern would like to believe that it is an isolated incident, nothing of the sort can be taken at face value anymore.
Stern, certainly a better commissioner than his counterparts in the other leagues, needs to issue a full blown investigation into all facets of the league, not just referees. No aspect of the league can receive the benefit of the doubt if the NBA wants to repair its image, and the league with the biggest crackdown on gambling needs to prove to the fans that it is a clean game.
Sport is not a religion. But if Stern wants his paying patrons to believe again, he'll need to perform a miracle.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
The Worst Day of the Year
In 2007, it is Wednesday July 11, and in most years, it is the second Wednesday in July.
This is the worst sports day of the year.
Between the middle of June and Labour Day weekend, the only major North American sport in operation is Major League Baseball, and its only competition in that time span in Canada is the CFL, and yesterday was the only day that there was no baseball anywhere across the continent, with their all star break concluding.
The NHL knew this, and took advantage of the media's free space to release their schedule for the upcoming season. On the Canadian sports news programs, this story was the focal point of their show.
The CFL, on the other hand, did not have a game on last night, instead sticking to their usual games on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday this week.
Sports news programs are an hour long and the sports section in the newspaper isn't any smaller on the worst sports day of the year. The CFL, already reduced to a minor league in the eyes of football fans, would have the full attention of Canada's sports media for a day, something any league that is not on top would relish.
A doubleheader on the Wednesday of baseball's all star break by the CFL makes a lot more sense than scheduling games on Sunday afternoons in September. But, maybe that's why the CFL is a minor league.
That and the lack of talented players.
This is the worst sports day of the year.
Between the middle of June and Labour Day weekend, the only major North American sport in operation is Major League Baseball, and its only competition in that time span in Canada is the CFL, and yesterday was the only day that there was no baseball anywhere across the continent, with their all star break concluding.
The NHL knew this, and took advantage of the media's free space to release their schedule for the upcoming season. On the Canadian sports news programs, this story was the focal point of their show.
The CFL, on the other hand, did not have a game on last night, instead sticking to their usual games on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday this week.
Sports news programs are an hour long and the sports section in the newspaper isn't any smaller on the worst sports day of the year. The CFL, already reduced to a minor league in the eyes of football fans, would have the full attention of Canada's sports media for a day, something any league that is not on top would relish.
A doubleheader on the Wednesday of baseball's all star break by the CFL makes a lot more sense than scheduling games on Sunday afternoons in September. But, maybe that's why the CFL is a minor league.
That and the lack of talented players.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Steroids and the Media
In relation to an article written by my father, Ted Griffith, in Friday's Hamilton Spectator and Ottawa Citizen regarding Barry Bonds' chase of Hank Aaron's record of 755 career home runs, I am now posting a condensed version of an article I wrote in December 2006 regarding the media's coverage of steroid use in sport.
And for the record, it would be nice to see Bonds retire at 755, but the chances of that happening are as likely as Babe Ruth coming back from the dead to pitch a no-hitter in Yankee Stadium against the Red Sox.
The Media and Steroid in Sport
The element of steroid use in sport has been an issue for 20 years, from Ben Johnson's drug scandal at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, to recent U.S. Congressional hearings on steroid use in baseball. For a large period of that time, however, it had been the elephant in the room. Many people, both in and outside of the media, knew or suspected that many athletes were bending the rules in order to gain a competitive advantage over their opponents. That all changed on March 27, 2006.
March 27, 2006 was the day that Game of Shadows was released into bookstores, a book detailing the steroid use of baseball's greatest modern player, Barry Bonds, by two sports reporters at the San Francisco Chronicle, Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams. Game of Shadows brought the issue of steroid use, particularly in baseball, to the attention of North America more than any other issue.
The book, based on articles published in the paper in 2004, was the basis for America's premier sports magazine, Sports Illustrated, using the information to label Bonds as guilty, going so far as to headline the cover of the issue with the words, "The Truth: Barry Bonds and Steroids". This story and subsequent book were released just weeks before the baseball season began, with Bonds only 48 home runs away from one of the sport's greatest records, most career home runs. Certainly the timing of the publishing was not coincidental.
Whether Barry Bonds used these substances to attain his record setting numbers is irrelevant in the world of baseball; at the time of the accused drug use, steroids were not illegal in baseball. They were outlawed after the 2002 season.
But this story, and the story of all steroid use in sport, has little to do with the rules of the game.
It is clear from the cover of the issue of SI regarding Bonds that the magazine went with a headline to draw in people and sell magazines. But this is a trend that the sports media has continued with since: convicting people before all the facts are in.
The best example of this is the case of former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jason Grimsley. On Sunday, October 1, 2006, AP picked up a story from the Los Angeles Times stating that Grimsley, suspended from baseball for steroid use, named five high profile players who used steroids, including one of the best pitchers in recent history, Roger Clemens. This information was obtained through a leaked affidavit, and the story spread throughout the continent. For two days, questions arose about these players, but on the following Tuesday, it was reported that the prosecutor in the case stated that these reports contained "significant inaccuracies", effectively saying that the players named were not guilty. It is often said that a bell cannot be unrung, and if the truth had come out much later, the suspicion of the players named may have not disappeared as quickly as it did.
All this doesn't mean that all in the sports media are blind to what has been happening. Some are now ready to admit that they did not do their jobs properly.
In an article from Editor and Publisher, sports writers discuss their failure in exposing steroids in sports like baseball earlier. Bill Dwyre, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, discusses how many in the field did not translate their work from one sport to another. "We did a very good job of jumping on performance-enhancing drugs in Olympic sports, but you don't treat baseball the same as something like weightlifting in the Olympics. It didn't register on our radar like it should have."
The media's treatment of the subject of steroid use in sports has been slanted heavily towards America's pastime. In the NFL, for example, San Diego Chargers star linebacker Shawne Merriman was suspended for 4 games for steroid use, and the issue was largely ignored, and when CBS News reported that multiple members of the NFC Champion Carolina Panthers were using steroids, other media outlets did not pick up the story with any interest, especially when compared to the Jason Grimsley story of last October.
It is evident that the media has little to no interest in drug stories outside of baseball, and that is a shame. All sports are susceptible to this problem, not just baseball, and the media needs to evenly focus its attention on all of them. Too often we hear stories of "juicing" in baseball, but why is that the only sport that matters? Why are all cyclists and sprinters using performance-enhancing drugs, but hockey and basketball players go unsuspected? This problem will only get worse in the coming years, and it is the media's responsibility to fairly and accurately cover all sides of the story, and that means covering all sports equally.
And for the record, it would be nice to see Bonds retire at 755, but the chances of that happening are as likely as Babe Ruth coming back from the dead to pitch a no-hitter in Yankee Stadium against the Red Sox.
The Media and Steroid in Sport
The element of steroid use in sport has been an issue for 20 years, from Ben Johnson's drug scandal at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, to recent U.S. Congressional hearings on steroid use in baseball. For a large period of that time, however, it had been the elephant in the room. Many people, both in and outside of the media, knew or suspected that many athletes were bending the rules in order to gain a competitive advantage over their opponents. That all changed on March 27, 2006.
March 27, 2006 was the day that Game of Shadows was released into bookstores, a book detailing the steroid use of baseball's greatest modern player, Barry Bonds, by two sports reporters at the San Francisco Chronicle, Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams. Game of Shadows brought the issue of steroid use, particularly in baseball, to the attention of North America more than any other issue.
The book, based on articles published in the paper in 2004, was the basis for America's premier sports magazine, Sports Illustrated, using the information to label Bonds as guilty, going so far as to headline the cover of the issue with the words, "The Truth: Barry Bonds and Steroids". This story and subsequent book were released just weeks before the baseball season began, with Bonds only 48 home runs away from one of the sport's greatest records, most career home runs. Certainly the timing of the publishing was not coincidental.
Whether Barry Bonds used these substances to attain his record setting numbers is irrelevant in the world of baseball; at the time of the accused drug use, steroids were not illegal in baseball. They were outlawed after the 2002 season.
But this story, and the story of all steroid use in sport, has little to do with the rules of the game.
It is clear from the cover of the issue of SI regarding Bonds that the magazine went with a headline to draw in people and sell magazines. But this is a trend that the sports media has continued with since: convicting people before all the facts are in.
The best example of this is the case of former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jason Grimsley. On Sunday, October 1, 2006, AP picked up a story from the Los Angeles Times stating that Grimsley, suspended from baseball for steroid use, named five high profile players who used steroids, including one of the best pitchers in recent history, Roger Clemens. This information was obtained through a leaked affidavit, and the story spread throughout the continent. For two days, questions arose about these players, but on the following Tuesday, it was reported that the prosecutor in the case stated that these reports contained "significant inaccuracies", effectively saying that the players named were not guilty. It is often said that a bell cannot be unrung, and if the truth had come out much later, the suspicion of the players named may have not disappeared as quickly as it did.
All this doesn't mean that all in the sports media are blind to what has been happening. Some are now ready to admit that they did not do their jobs properly.
In an article from Editor and Publisher, sports writers discuss their failure in exposing steroids in sports like baseball earlier. Bill Dwyre, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, discusses how many in the field did not translate their work from one sport to another. "We did a very good job of jumping on performance-enhancing drugs in Olympic sports, but you don't treat baseball the same as something like weightlifting in the Olympics. It didn't register on our radar like it should have."
The media's treatment of the subject of steroid use in sports has been slanted heavily towards America's pastime. In the NFL, for example, San Diego Chargers star linebacker Shawne Merriman was suspended for 4 games for steroid use, and the issue was largely ignored, and when CBS News reported that multiple members of the NFC Champion Carolina Panthers were using steroids, other media outlets did not pick up the story with any interest, especially when compared to the Jason Grimsley story of last October.
It is evident that the media has little to no interest in drug stories outside of baseball, and that is a shame. All sports are susceptible to this problem, not just baseball, and the media needs to evenly focus its attention on all of them. Too often we hear stories of "juicing" in baseball, but why is that the only sport that matters? Why are all cyclists and sprinters using performance-enhancing drugs, but hockey and basketball players go unsuspected? This problem will only get worse in the coming years, and it is the media's responsibility to fairly and accurately cover all sides of the story, and that means covering all sports equally.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Baseball, where more is less
This week, agent Scott Boras suggested to MLB Commissioner Bud Selig that the World Series be expanded to a 9 game series, with the first 2 games played at a neutral site. The potential result behind the idea would be that the World Series, a ratings killer in recent years, would become a major event like the Super Bowl is now.
There's just one problem: The Super Bowl doesn't take two weeks to complete, although there are times that it seems like it. Event television, which seems to be Boras' and Selig's goal, is tough to do when it is spread out over that long a span, and after a 6 month season, a Game 8 in early November would likely seem like too much.
I agree that changes do need to be made to baseball, but adding 2 more games to the championship series would not improve the game. It's bad enough that the season ends as children go trick-or-treating as it is. Simply put, the season should be cut by 8-24 games, and at least one more playoff team per league should be added.
The most exciting part of any season in sport is the post-season, but in November, with football, basketball, and hockey all in season (pun intended), baseball's championship series would just be too much, even for North America's seemingly endless desire for more sports.
End the season in mid-September, get to the LCS by the first week of October, and finish the season before the costumes hit the streets.
There's just one problem: The Super Bowl doesn't take two weeks to complete, although there are times that it seems like it. Event television, which seems to be Boras' and Selig's goal, is tough to do when it is spread out over that long a span, and after a 6 month season, a Game 8 in early November would likely seem like too much.
I agree that changes do need to be made to baseball, but adding 2 more games to the championship series would not improve the game. It's bad enough that the season ends as children go trick-or-treating as it is. Simply put, the season should be cut by 8-24 games, and at least one more playoff team per league should be added.
The most exciting part of any season in sport is the post-season, but in November, with football, basketball, and hockey all in season (pun intended), baseball's championship series would just be too much, even for North America's seemingly endless desire for more sports.
End the season in mid-September, get to the LCS by the first week of October, and finish the season before the costumes hit the streets.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
If a NBA Finals game was on and no one watched, did it exist?
This week, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in 4 dull, lifeless games to win their 4th championship in the last 10 years. And as with the NHL finals, the television ratings were extremely disappointing for the broadcasting network.
While this shouldn't come as a surprise for hockey, it is a little odd for the NBA. After all, this was the "coming out party" for superstar LeBron James, and this alone should have brought enough interest from the casual basketball fan to tune into the series.
Alas, the (lack of) appeal of the Spurs in the series, frequent shots of Eva Longoria notwithstanding, sent viewers away in droves, apparently preferring summer reality programming to championship hoop.
There are many valid reasons for this, such as the localization of sport, where viewers' focus is on their home team rather than the sport as a whole, but when the two "best" teams can't break 40 points at the half, it seems as clear as day to me.
The San Antonio Spurs are ruining the NBA for the casual sports fan. With defensive lockdowns and a slow style of play, the only thing worse than the Spurs in the Final is if the Pistons joined them there.
The glory days of the NBA are being rejunevated in places like Phoenix and Golden State, with fast breaks and high scores the name of the game there, and if teams like the Spurs and Pistons don't change over, rule changes to the sport are necessary to boost scoring, reduce stoppage, and generally improve what was once a great game.
My solution: cut the number of fouls a player needs to foul out from 6 to 3, and increase the roster by at least 3 more players to compensate for the increased foul outs. What will this do? It will reduce fouls to the most important ones, and leave these highly skilled players more room to produce the type of play we want to see in a basketball game.
Teams shouldn't be winning games in the 70's, they should be doing so in the 100's. Eliminate the fouls, and the game speeds up and the skill players do what they do best. Less fouls will also mean more shot attempts, which will create more transition baskets, which will also increase scoring.
I also think the number of timeouts should be cut in half, and the shot clock cut down to 18 seconds, but one problem at a time.
Here's hoping for a Phoenix/Toronto final next year. Not for any basketball reason, just because I want to see it.
While this shouldn't come as a surprise for hockey, it is a little odd for the NBA. After all, this was the "coming out party" for superstar LeBron James, and this alone should have brought enough interest from the casual basketball fan to tune into the series.
Alas, the (lack of) appeal of the Spurs in the series, frequent shots of Eva Longoria notwithstanding, sent viewers away in droves, apparently preferring summer reality programming to championship hoop.
There are many valid reasons for this, such as the localization of sport, where viewers' focus is on their home team rather than the sport as a whole, but when the two "best" teams can't break 40 points at the half, it seems as clear as day to me.
The San Antonio Spurs are ruining the NBA for the casual sports fan. With defensive lockdowns and a slow style of play, the only thing worse than the Spurs in the Final is if the Pistons joined them there.
The glory days of the NBA are being rejunevated in places like Phoenix and Golden State, with fast breaks and high scores the name of the game there, and if teams like the Spurs and Pistons don't change over, rule changes to the sport are necessary to boost scoring, reduce stoppage, and generally improve what was once a great game.
My solution: cut the number of fouls a player needs to foul out from 6 to 3, and increase the roster by at least 3 more players to compensate for the increased foul outs. What will this do? It will reduce fouls to the most important ones, and leave these highly skilled players more room to produce the type of play we want to see in a basketball game.
Teams shouldn't be winning games in the 70's, they should be doing so in the 100's. Eliminate the fouls, and the game speeds up and the skill players do what they do best. Less fouls will also mean more shot attempts, which will create more transition baskets, which will also increase scoring.
I also think the number of timeouts should be cut in half, and the shot clock cut down to 18 seconds, but one problem at a time.
Here's hoping for a Phoenix/Toronto final next year. Not for any basketball reason, just because I want to see it.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Stanley Cup Final Prediction
Here we go, the final prediction of the NHL season. So sad...
Ottawa v Anaheim - While the American networks may not like this match-up (what am I saying, may?), these two teams have proven that they are the two best clubs in the NHL.
Ottawa, to many people's amazement, have only lost 1 game in each of their three series against Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and Buffalo. But, the Eastern Conference was the weaker conference all season long, and they probably would not have had such an easy trip to the finals had they played in the West.
Anaheim also had a fairly easy trip this postseason. After disposing with Minnesota and Vancouver with relative ease, they recovered from a 5-0 debacle against the Red Wings to win 3 straight and knock out Detroit.
Offensively, Ottawa is vastly superior. Defensively, the Senators do have more depth, but Pronger and Niedermayer are better than any single Ottawa blueliner. In goal, J.S. Giguere has a Conn Smythe Trophy, and, incredibly, has only 1 overtime playoff loss in 13 games.
It'll be a long series, probably 7, and in a series like this, those overtime games can swing the momentum enough to tip the scales of a even series.
In the last 2 seasons, a non-traditional hockey market (Carolina and Tampa Bay) has defeated a Canadian team (Edmonton and Calgary) in 7 games. They have also had home ice in those series.
I like history...
Ducks in 7.
Record: 10-4
Ottawa v Anaheim - While the American networks may not like this match-up (what am I saying, may?), these two teams have proven that they are the two best clubs in the NHL.
Ottawa, to many people's amazement, have only lost 1 game in each of their three series against Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and Buffalo. But, the Eastern Conference was the weaker conference all season long, and they probably would not have had such an easy trip to the finals had they played in the West.
Anaheim also had a fairly easy trip this postseason. After disposing with Minnesota and Vancouver with relative ease, they recovered from a 5-0 debacle against the Red Wings to win 3 straight and knock out Detroit.
Offensively, Ottawa is vastly superior. Defensively, the Senators do have more depth, but Pronger and Niedermayer are better than any single Ottawa blueliner. In goal, J.S. Giguere has a Conn Smythe Trophy, and, incredibly, has only 1 overtime playoff loss in 13 games.
It'll be a long series, probably 7, and in a series like this, those overtime games can swing the momentum enough to tip the scales of a even series.
In the last 2 seasons, a non-traditional hockey market (Carolina and Tampa Bay) has defeated a Canadian team (Edmonton and Calgary) in 7 games. They have also had home ice in those series.
I like history...
Ducks in 7.
Record: 10-4
Jays losing consistency (not consistently)
In the past week for Toronto, the Jays have managed to follow every win with a loss, having alternated wins and losses since sweeping the Orioles on May 16.
The Jays managed to squeak out an extra inning win in Baltimore on Thursday, thus winning that series. However, Toronto lost 2 of 3 in Minnesota, winning their only game of the series in extra time as well.
Toronto returns north of 49 tomorrow to host the Yankees for the first time this year. Chicago comes to town this weekend.
Toronto (22-27)
The Jays managed to squeak out an extra inning win in Baltimore on Thursday, thus winning that series. However, Toronto lost 2 of 3 in Minnesota, winning their only game of the series in extra time as well.
Toronto returns north of 49 tomorrow to host the Yankees for the first time this year. Chicago comes to town this weekend.
Toronto (22-27)
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
A Disgusting Turn of Events
On Saturday afternoon, I was watching Game 5 of the Ottawa-Buffalo series on CBC, a game that eventually went to overtime with the Senators winning the game and the series, heading to their first Stanley Cup Final in team history.
For viewers in the United States, they may have missed the end of this game because NBC, the league's U.S. network partner, switched their coverage over to the pre-race show for the Preakness Stakes.
Overtime hockey bumped for talking about a horse race. Only in America.
A couple of points are necessary here before I rant against this atrosicity. First, NBC's contract with horse racing required it to go to pre-race coverage; that deal was in place before the league signed with NBC. Also, ratings for the pre-race show was nearly triple that of the hockey game.
Now, the NHL needs to realize that afternoon hockey doesn't work like basketball, football, and baseball do in the States. For Sunday's Ducks-Wings game, any viewers that would be on the fence about watching would likely be on ABC, where the Spurs-Jazz series began at the same time.
Us Canadians know that evening hockey works, and there's no reason to think that it won't work in the U.S.. Hockey is not as popular as the 3 major sports right now down south, but it can be. With the right programming.
Secondly, with this pre-existing condition in place, the league should have had the gumption to overrule the network showing its product and schedule the game at night, even if it would then be on Versus.
You can't blame NBC for this debacle; a contract was in place, and ratings would triple if they dumped the overtime period onto Versus. But this incident speaks to a bigger problem for the NHL - ever since the lockout, they have no leverage with the networks in the U.S., and they need to change that, even if that means losing them altogether.
In the end, I'm glad my television was tuned to CBC. Too bad American hockey fans didn't have that option.
For viewers in the United States, they may have missed the end of this game because NBC, the league's U.S. network partner, switched their coverage over to the pre-race show for the Preakness Stakes.
Overtime hockey bumped for talking about a horse race. Only in America.
A couple of points are necessary here before I rant against this atrosicity. First, NBC's contract with horse racing required it to go to pre-race coverage; that deal was in place before the league signed with NBC. Also, ratings for the pre-race show was nearly triple that of the hockey game.
Now, the NHL needs to realize that afternoon hockey doesn't work like basketball, football, and baseball do in the States. For Sunday's Ducks-Wings game, any viewers that would be on the fence about watching would likely be on ABC, where the Spurs-Jazz series began at the same time.
Us Canadians know that evening hockey works, and there's no reason to think that it won't work in the U.S.. Hockey is not as popular as the 3 major sports right now down south, but it can be. With the right programming.
Secondly, with this pre-existing condition in place, the league should have had the gumption to overrule the network showing its product and schedule the game at night, even if it would then be on Versus.
You can't blame NBC for this debacle; a contract was in place, and ratings would triple if they dumped the overtime period onto Versus. But this incident speaks to a bigger problem for the NHL - ever since the lockout, they have no leverage with the networks in the U.S., and they need to change that, even if that means losing them altogether.
In the end, I'm glad my television was tuned to CBC. Too bad American hockey fans didn't have that option.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Maybe I should delay posts more often...
When I last posted, the Jays had lost 3 straight series in sweeps, and I said that if they didn't turn it around in a hurry, changes would be necessary for the team's success.
Since then, Toronto beat Texas in 2 of 3, then swept Baltimore at home. As of now, the Jays have won the second in the series against the Phillies, with the rubber match tomorrow.
So, anyways, I should delay posts more often.
After tomorrow's game, the Jays head to Baltimore for 4 before heading to Minnesota.
Since then, Toronto beat Texas in 2 of 3, then swept Baltimore at home. As of now, the Jays have won the second in the series against the Phillies, with the rubber match tomorrow.
So, anyways, I should delay posts more often.
After tomorrow's game, the Jays head to Baltimore for 4 before heading to Minnesota.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Another Sweep, Another Injury, Another Frustrating Way to Watch a Team
So, here we are. Losses of 9-2, 9-3 and 8-0 to the division leading Red Sox. It was also announced this week that closer B.J. Ryan will be out for the season, rather than for 2 months as originally believed. This from the team that disguised Ryan's injury in spring training, made him pitch in the opening weeks of the season, then put him on the D.L. when he blew 2 of his first 4 save opportunities.
Now, Roy Halladay, who would be the majors' best pitcher of the decade if it wasn't for injuries, will be 4-6 weeks because of appendicitis.
For those who believe that these two injuries are the death knell of the Jays' season, I point out that the Jays' losses were not in the last inning, and Roy Halladay only pitches once a week.
The Jays can't score and they can't get anyone out. If this team doesn't wake up and soon, drastic measures will need to be taken.
I'm sure when pressed, Jays management will point to the earlier injuries to Glaus and Zaun, and combined with the current woes, and blame them for the Jays pathetic run of late. This is why you have back-ups, and this is why you have managers and coaches. They motivate, they train, and they lead. At least they are supposed to.
Jays host the Rays this weekend. A win would be nice.
Toronto (13-21)
Now, Roy Halladay, who would be the majors' best pitcher of the decade if it wasn't for injuries, will be 4-6 weeks because of appendicitis.
For those who believe that these two injuries are the death knell of the Jays' season, I point out that the Jays' losses were not in the last inning, and Roy Halladay only pitches once a week.
The Jays can't score and they can't get anyone out. If this team doesn't wake up and soon, drastic measures will need to be taken.
I'm sure when pressed, Jays management will point to the earlier injuries to Glaus and Zaun, and combined with the current woes, and blame them for the Jays pathetic run of late. This is why you have back-ups, and this is why you have managers and coaches. They motivate, they train, and they lead. At least they are supposed to.
Jays host the Rays this weekend. A win would be nice.
Toronto (13-21)
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
NHL Conference Final Predictions
I'll be honest; my heart really isn't into these predictions anymore. My team is out, and I won't be watching the playoffs with the interest that I did as recently as last night. Also, I went a pathetic 1-3 in the second round, so that adds to my general malaise. Alas, here I go...
Sabres v Senators: I have not picked Ottawa yet, so yes, I am surprised that they made it this far. But they deserve to be; Ray Emery has been superb, and the top line of Spezza, Alfredsson, and Heatley has been the best line in the playoffs so far. Buffalo, on the other hand, was not dominant against either of the New York teams this postseason. I can't believe I'm doing this... Senators in 6.
Red Wings v Ducks: If the Spezza line has been the most dominant line in the postseason, then the Anaheim Ducks have been the most dominant team in the playoffs. They seem to be set top to bottom, and have the goaltending to back it up. And besides, how can I, in good conscience, pick the team that knocked out my boys? Ducks in 6.
There you have it, Ottawa and Anaheim in the Stanley Cup Final. Sorry, NBC.
Sabres v Senators: I have not picked Ottawa yet, so yes, I am surprised that they made it this far. But they deserve to be; Ray Emery has been superb, and the top line of Spezza, Alfredsson, and Heatley has been the best line in the playoffs so far. Buffalo, on the other hand, was not dominant against either of the New York teams this postseason. I can't believe I'm doing this... Senators in 6.
Red Wings v Ducks: If the Spezza line has been the most dominant line in the postseason, then the Anaheim Ducks have been the most dominant team in the playoffs. They seem to be set top to bottom, and have the goaltending to back it up. And besides, how can I, in good conscience, pick the team that knocked out my boys? Ducks in 6.
There you have it, Ottawa and Anaheim in the Stanley Cup Final. Sorry, NBC.
Everything's Bigger in Texas, especially the Jays' losses
It was another uninspired performance by the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend.
Toronto lost to Texas 7-1, 11-4, and 3-2 in their 3 game series. This marks 6 straight losses for the Jays, and as I write this, Toronto is down 8-1 in the 7th to Boston.
This is getting a lot less fun, and with the Raptors out of the NBA playoffs, Toronto sports fans have nothing to cheer about right now.
I know it's May and there have been some injuries, but it may be time for a major change to this team. A trade, a signing, a firing, something to show Toronto's fans that there is a recognition of the problem at hand, and something is being done about it.
I don't know what that is right now, and I don't think firing Gibbons or Riccardi is the answer, but I do know that something has to happen. And soon.
Toronto (13-18)
Toronto lost to Texas 7-1, 11-4, and 3-2 in their 3 game series. This marks 6 straight losses for the Jays, and as I write this, Toronto is down 8-1 in the 7th to Boston.
This is getting a lot less fun, and with the Raptors out of the NBA playoffs, Toronto sports fans have nothing to cheer about right now.
I know it's May and there have been some injuries, but it may be time for a major change to this team. A trade, a signing, a firing, something to show Toronto's fans that there is a recognition of the problem at hand, and something is being done about it.
I don't know what that is right now, and I don't think firing Gibbons or Riccardi is the answer, but I do know that something has to happen. And soon.
Toronto (13-18)
Friday, May 4, 2007
Jays get swept in Cleveland
Toronto visited Cleveland for the first time this season, and left without a win to show for it.
The Jays lost 12-4, 7-6, and 6-5 in the 3 game set. Toronto led in each game of the series.
After this pathetic display, the Jays visit Texas for the weekend. Halladay and Burnett will both pitch this weekend.
Toronto (13-15)
The Jays lost 12-4, 7-6, and 6-5 in the 3 game set. Toronto led in each game of the series.
After this pathetic display, the Jays visit Texas for the weekend. Halladay and Burnett will both pitch this weekend.
Toronto (13-15)
Monday, April 30, 2007
04/30 Toronto 6, Texas 1
Toronto ended their month and their series on a high note with a win over Texas on Monday.
Roy Halladay continued to prove his worth as one of the game's dominant pitchers by going the distance against the Rangers, only allowing 1 run on 5 hits.
Whereas Halladay extended his winning streak to 4, Texas pitcher Vinny Padilla continued his losing streak, dropping to 0-4 on the year.
Toronto knocked 3 out of the park, with homers by Glaus, Hill, and Lind.
The Jays visit Cleveland this week, starting tomorrow.
WP: Halladay (4-0)
LP: Padilla (0-4)
Toronto (13-12) Texas (10-15)
Roy Halladay continued to prove his worth as one of the game's dominant pitchers by going the distance against the Rangers, only allowing 1 run on 5 hits.
Whereas Halladay extended his winning streak to 4, Texas pitcher Vinny Padilla continued his losing streak, dropping to 0-4 on the year.
Toronto knocked 3 out of the park, with homers by Glaus, Hill, and Lind.
The Jays visit Cleveland this week, starting tomorrow.
WP: Halladay (4-0)
LP: Padilla (0-4)
Toronto (13-12) Texas (10-15)
Sunday, April 29, 2007
04/29 Toronto 7, Texas 3
Everything seemed to come together for Toronto on Sunday.
They got a solid outing from inconsistent Tomo Ohka (7 innings and 1 run earned), and strong offence from Aaron Hill and Jason Phillips (3 hits apiece).
Toronto never trailed in this game, as a 3 run 1st inning set the pace for the Jays win.
WP: Ohka (2-2)
LP: McCarthy (1-4)
Toronto (12-12) Texas (10-14)
They got a solid outing from inconsistent Tomo Ohka (7 innings and 1 run earned), and strong offence from Aaron Hill and Jason Phillips (3 hits apiece).
Toronto never trailed in this game, as a 3 run 1st inning set the pace for the Jays win.
WP: Ohka (2-2)
LP: McCarthy (1-4)
Toronto (12-12) Texas (10-14)
04/28 Texas 9, Toronto 8 (10)
It was a valiant effort, but the Jays lost their second straight to Texas in extra time.
3 runs in the 9th given up by Jason Frasor cost the Jays the win, even with a run in the bottom of the inning giving Toronto hope for extra innings.
But, in the end, there wasn't enough in the tank for Toronto to pull it out.
WP: Otsuka (1-0)
LP: Tallet (0-1)
SV: Benoit (1)
Toronto (11-12) Texas (10-13)
3 runs in the 9th given up by Jason Frasor cost the Jays the win, even with a run in the bottom of the inning giving Toronto hope for extra innings.
But, in the end, there wasn't enough in the tank for Toronto to pull it out.
WP: Otsuka (1-0)
LP: Tallet (0-1)
SV: Benoit (1)
Toronto (11-12) Texas (10-13)
04/27 Texas 5, Toronto 3
In the end, it turned out to be Josh Towers' last start for the Jays, for now at least.
Victor Zambrano will replace Towers in the rotation, and Towers will in turn replace Zambrano in the bullpen.
Towers gave up 3 home runs in the 3rd that ended up being his undoing for Toronto in the first of a four game series with the Rangers.
WP: Tejada (3-1)
LP: Towers (1-3)
Toronto (11-11) Texas (9-13)
Victor Zambrano will replace Towers in the rotation, and Towers will in turn replace Zambrano in the bullpen.
Towers gave up 3 home runs in the 3rd that ended up being his undoing for Toronto in the first of a four game series with the Rangers.
WP: Tejada (3-1)
LP: Towers (1-3)
Toronto (11-11) Texas (9-13)
Friday, April 27, 2007
04/26 Toronto 6, New York 0
Sure, it ended up a one game series, but the Jays swept the Yankees in their first matchup of '07.
A.J. Burnett tossed 7 shutout innings, and the Toronto bullpen held up their end of the bargain, keeping the vaunted New York offence off the board throughout the game.
The Jays lit up Yankee rookie Phil Hughes for 4 runs in just over 4 innings, as they spread the wealth throughout their lineup. Vernon Wells continued his hot hand by going 3 for 3 with two walks and 1 RBI.
The Jays return home tonight for a four game series with Texas.
WP: Burnett (2-1)
LP: Hughes (0-1)
Toronto (11-10) New York (8-12)
A.J. Burnett tossed 7 shutout innings, and the Toronto bullpen held up their end of the bargain, keeping the vaunted New York offence off the board throughout the game.
The Jays lit up Yankee rookie Phil Hughes for 4 runs in just over 4 innings, as they spread the wealth throughout their lineup. Vernon Wells continued his hot hand by going 3 for 3 with two walks and 1 RBI.
The Jays return home tonight for a four game series with Texas.
WP: Burnett (2-1)
LP: Hughes (0-1)
Toronto (11-10) New York (8-12)
Thursday, April 26, 2007
NHL Programmers Finally Get It Right
After a first round programming schedule that was meant to appease NBC in their weekend games (which, in fact, hurt both NBC and CBC), the NHL fixed their mistakes in their schedule for the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
On the first Saturday of the playoffs, the league scheduled Sidney Crosby and the Penguins for the afternoon game on NBC, and rightly so. My issue with it wasn't that CBC lost a Canadian game on Saturday night, but that NBC wanted multiple games in that time slot, meaning the future of the league and hockey in general south of 49 was only seen in some markets in the U.S., not all of them.
If the league wanted to market their young superstar properly, they would have made an agreement with NBC to air the Pens-Sens game across the country at 3 p.m. Instead, some markets miss out on Crosby, and one of the top reasons for non-hockey fans to tune in.
This Saturday, there is but one game in the afternoon (Sharks @ Wings Gm 2), and one in the afternoon on Sunday (Sabres @ Rangers Gm 3). This is the best option for the league and NBC; get one big game with a major market in both games shown coast to coast.
Plus, CBC gets the Senators game on Saturday night, as they would want.
Everybody wins. Especially the fans.
On the first Saturday of the playoffs, the league scheduled Sidney Crosby and the Penguins for the afternoon game on NBC, and rightly so. My issue with it wasn't that CBC lost a Canadian game on Saturday night, but that NBC wanted multiple games in that time slot, meaning the future of the league and hockey in general south of 49 was only seen in some markets in the U.S., not all of them.
If the league wanted to market their young superstar properly, they would have made an agreement with NBC to air the Pens-Sens game across the country at 3 p.m. Instead, some markets miss out on Crosby, and one of the top reasons for non-hockey fans to tune in.
This Saturday, there is but one game in the afternoon (Sharks @ Wings Gm 2), and one in the afternoon on Sunday (Sabres @ Rangers Gm 3). This is the best option for the league and NBC; get one big game with a major market in both games shown coast to coast.
Plus, CBC gets the Senators game on Saturday night, as they would want.
Everybody wins. Especially the fans.
04/25 Toronto at New York, Postponed
The first game of the season for the Jays against the hated Yankees was forced to wait another day, as the game was rained out. No make up date has been announced.
Toronto (10-10) New York (8-11)
Toronto (10-10) New York (8-11)
04/24 Toronto 10, Boston 3
Everything seemed to come together for the Blue Jays on Tuesday night in Boston.
The Jays completed a mini sweep of their mini series with the Red Sox by knocking in 10 runs on 15 hits, while Jay ace Roy Halladay pitched 8 strong innings, striking out 10 in the process.
Vernon Wells finally earned his off season raise, going 4 for 5 and bringing 3 runners home. Frank Thomas and Lyle Overbay also had 3 RBI's in the game.
WP: Halladay (3-0)
LP: Tavarez (0-2)
Toronto (10-10) Boston (12-7)
The Jays completed a mini sweep of their mini series with the Red Sox by knocking in 10 runs on 15 hits, while Jay ace Roy Halladay pitched 8 strong innings, striking out 10 in the process.
Vernon Wells finally earned his off season raise, going 4 for 5 and bringing 3 runners home. Frank Thomas and Lyle Overbay also had 3 RBI's in the game.
WP: Halladay (3-0)
LP: Tavarez (0-2)
Toronto (10-10) Boston (12-7)
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
NHL Playoff Predictions - Round Two
Before I start, I need to recap the first round, prediction wise.
Of the 8 series, I correctly predicted 7 of the winners. Damn Penguins.
Also, in 3 of those 7 wins, the number of games was also correctly predicted.
So, here we go. Round Two.
Eastern Conference:
Sabres v Rangers: Both of these teams have had a long time off in between series, almost too much; Game 1 will be chippy and sloppy because of it. But once they settle down, I think the Rangers experience and talent will take over, and knock out the President's trophy winners. Rangers in 6.
Devils v Senators: Once again, the legendary Martin Brodeur goes up against a relatively inexperienced goaltender, this time in Ray Emery. Emery was solid in round one, but New Jersey is deeper than Pittsburgh was, and the Devils always find a way to get it done in the playoffs. Ottawa doesn't. Devils in 7.
Western Conference:
Ducks v Canucks: Whereas the Ducks have had a week off, Vancouver is coming off a long, tough series against Dallas, and only has one day off in between series. That being said, Roberto Luongo is the best goalie left in the West, and he'll steal a game or two. The problem is, Anaheim is much better than Vancouver, and one or two won't be enough. Ducks in 7.
Red Wings v Sharks: Do you even have to ask? All right, here goes. The Sharks are the deeper team, and had more rest going into this series. This has all the makings of a classic matchup, what with 2 very good teams who both truly believe that they will win the Cup. Sorry Detroit. Wait, I'm not sorry... Sharks in 6.
There they are, Rangers, Devils, Ducks, and Sharks. The Final Four.
Record: 7-1
Of the 8 series, I correctly predicted 7 of the winners. Damn Penguins.
Also, in 3 of those 7 wins, the number of games was also correctly predicted.
So, here we go. Round Two.
Eastern Conference:
Sabres v Rangers: Both of these teams have had a long time off in between series, almost too much; Game 1 will be chippy and sloppy because of it. But once they settle down, I think the Rangers experience and talent will take over, and knock out the President's trophy winners. Rangers in 6.
Devils v Senators: Once again, the legendary Martin Brodeur goes up against a relatively inexperienced goaltender, this time in Ray Emery. Emery was solid in round one, but New Jersey is deeper than Pittsburgh was, and the Devils always find a way to get it done in the playoffs. Ottawa doesn't. Devils in 7.
Western Conference:
Ducks v Canucks: Whereas the Ducks have had a week off, Vancouver is coming off a long, tough series against Dallas, and only has one day off in between series. That being said, Roberto Luongo is the best goalie left in the West, and he'll steal a game or two. The problem is, Anaheim is much better than Vancouver, and one or two won't be enough. Ducks in 7.
Red Wings v Sharks: Do you even have to ask? All right, here goes. The Sharks are the deeper team, and had more rest going into this series. This has all the makings of a classic matchup, what with 2 very good teams who both truly believe that they will win the Cup. Sorry Detroit. Wait, I'm not sorry... Sharks in 6.
There they are, Rangers, Devils, Ducks, and Sharks. The Final Four.
Record: 7-1
04/23 Toronto 7, Boston 3
It took five games, but the Jays finally got back on track in Boston on Monday.
The Jays managed 14 hits in the game, the opposite of their poor offensive showing in Baltimore on the weekend. The Jays were also able to finish off Boston with 3 runs in the last 2 innings.
Tomo Ohka also finally got his first win of the year, although he only pitched 5 innings for Toronto.
The two game series ends Tuesday, with Jay ace Roy Halladay pitching for Toronto.
WP: Ohka (1-2)
LP: Wakefield (2-2)
SV: Frasor (2)
Toronto (9-10) Boston (12-6)
The Jays managed 14 hits in the game, the opposite of their poor offensive showing in Baltimore on the weekend. The Jays were also able to finish off Boston with 3 runs in the last 2 innings.
Tomo Ohka also finally got his first win of the year, although he only pitched 5 innings for Toronto.
The two game series ends Tuesday, with Jay ace Roy Halladay pitching for Toronto.
WP: Ohka (1-2)
LP: Wakefield (2-2)
SV: Frasor (2)
Toronto (9-10) Boston (12-6)
04/22 Baltimore 7, Toronto 3
Toronto continued to struggle on Sunday, losing to the Orioles again, clinching the sweep for Baltimore.
The Jays gave up all their runs in the 4th and 5th innings, with starter Gustavo Chacin being pulled in the 5th.
Vernon Wells and Frank Thomas, the Jays supposed offensive leaders, both went hitless on the afternoon. As of this game, only Royce Clayton and Aaron Hill are hitting over .300 for Toronto.
WP: Trachsel (1-1)
LP: Chacin (2-1)
Toronto (8-10) Baltimore (11-7)
The Jays gave up all their runs in the 4th and 5th innings, with starter Gustavo Chacin being pulled in the 5th.
Vernon Wells and Frank Thomas, the Jays supposed offensive leaders, both went hitless on the afternoon. As of this game, only Royce Clayton and Aaron Hill are hitting over .300 for Toronto.
WP: Trachsel (1-1)
LP: Chacin (2-1)
Toronto (8-10) Baltimore (11-7)
04/21 Baltimore 5, Toronto 2
So much for that hope I was talking about last time.
Josh Towers hit the valley of his up and down season, allowing 9 hits in only 5 innings. He was tagged with the loss.
The Jays' bats continued to struggle, only getting one extra base hit on the night (Alex Rios, 2B).
WP: Loewen (2-0)
LP: Towers (1-2)
SV: Ray (6)
Toronto (8-9) Baltimore (10-7)
Josh Towers hit the valley of his up and down season, allowing 9 hits in only 5 innings. He was tagged with the loss.
The Jays' bats continued to struggle, only getting one extra base hit on the night (Alex Rios, 2B).
WP: Loewen (2-0)
LP: Towers (1-2)
SV: Ray (6)
Toronto (8-9) Baltimore (10-7)
Saturday, April 21, 2007
04/20 Baltimore 5, Toronto 4
It is sadly becoming an old story.
After a very strong start, the Jays bullpen has blown fantastic outings by their starters to lose 3 straight games, dropping to .500 for the first time since opening week.
A.J. Burnett, inconsistent so far this year, had a peak start, going 7 innings while only giving up 3 hits.
But the bullpen, specifically Marcum and Zambrano, lost the lead and the game to Baltimore.
As I write this, the second game of the series is underway, with Baltimore leading Josh Towers and the Jays 2-0 in the 3rd. I am aware that it is only April, but it is the beginning of the year where confidence and habit are created, and, after a hot opening to the season, have begun to falter. Going into Fenway next week means Toronto needs to turn it around now in Baltimore.
Alex Rios just scored. Maybe this will turn it around.
Report on tonight's game later.
WP: Ray (2-1)
LP: Zambrano (0-1)
After a very strong start, the Jays bullpen has blown fantastic outings by their starters to lose 3 straight games, dropping to .500 for the first time since opening week.
A.J. Burnett, inconsistent so far this year, had a peak start, going 7 innings while only giving up 3 hits.
But the bullpen, specifically Marcum and Zambrano, lost the lead and the game to Baltimore.
As I write this, the second game of the series is underway, with Baltimore leading Josh Towers and the Jays 2-0 in the 3rd. I am aware that it is only April, but it is the beginning of the year where confidence and habit are created, and, after a hot opening to the season, have begun to falter. Going into Fenway next week means Toronto needs to turn it around now in Baltimore.
Alex Rios just scored. Maybe this will turn it around.
Report on tonight's game later.
WP: Ray (2-1)
LP: Zambrano (0-1)
Toronto (8-8) Baltimore (9-7)
04/19 Boston 5, Toronto 3
Everything was in place for a Toronto win, which would give the Jays the series win in their first matchup with the Boston Red Sox this season. Roy Halladay was on the mound, the Jays had a 3-1 lead in the 8th, and the Jays ace showed no signs of slowing down.
Then manager John Gibbons hallucinated a sign of slowing down, and replaced Halladay with one out in the inning. Final score Boston 5, Toronto 3.
Scott Downs, who replaced Halladay, did his job and got David Ortiz out, then Shawn Marcum came in, and gave up 2 runs in the eighth. Boston added 2 more in the 9th to get the win.
Much will be made of Gibbons' decision to pull Halladay, and likely more would be made of it if this were September, or hopefully, October. But Gibbons felt it was time, and that's his decision to make. Unfortunately for the Jays, it was the wrong one.
Jays at Orioles this weekend.
WP: Timlin (1-0)
LP: Marcum (1-1)
SV: Papelbon (4)
Toronto (8-7) Boston (9-5)
Then manager John Gibbons hallucinated a sign of slowing down, and replaced Halladay with one out in the inning. Final score Boston 5, Toronto 3.
Scott Downs, who replaced Halladay, did his job and got David Ortiz out, then Shawn Marcum came in, and gave up 2 runs in the eighth. Boston added 2 more in the 9th to get the win.
Much will be made of Gibbons' decision to pull Halladay, and likely more would be made of it if this were September, or hopefully, October. But Gibbons felt it was time, and that's his decision to make. Unfortunately for the Jays, it was the wrong one.
Jays at Orioles this weekend.
WP: Timlin (1-0)
LP: Marcum (1-1)
SV: Papelbon (4)
Toronto (8-7) Boston (9-5)
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Urlacher fine out of left field
So the news hit last night that Chicago Bears star linebacker Brian Urlacher was fined $100,000 for wearing a hat at Super Bowl media day by a rival drink company from the official sponsor of NFL, Gatorade.
Rules aside, does anyone else question the timing of this fine? The Super Bowl was 10 weeks ago, and the news of the fine just came out yesterday. If this was such a big deal to the league, why didn't the fine come out the day after?
According to David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune, Urlacher was notified of the fine a month ago. So now, why the delay of 6 weeks, and why the delay of the news of the fine 4 weeks after the player?
Many things appear fishy from this transaction. The rule is in place to protect the sponsors of the league, in this case Gatorade, not for the league itself. So was Gatorade the one that actually prompted the league to issue the fine?
The whole ordeal seems to be a desperate attempt by the NFL and its sponsors to keep their iron grip over their players and any other companies that dare get in their collective way. But it is Urlacher and the drink company, Vitamin Water, that will get the last laugh. $100,000 is a small price to pay for the publicity they will receive from the incident.
I don't know about you, but I'm really thirsty all of a sudden.
Rules aside, does anyone else question the timing of this fine? The Super Bowl was 10 weeks ago, and the news of the fine just came out yesterday. If this was such a big deal to the league, why didn't the fine come out the day after?
According to David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune, Urlacher was notified of the fine a month ago. So now, why the delay of 6 weeks, and why the delay of the news of the fine 4 weeks after the player?
Many things appear fishy from this transaction. The rule is in place to protect the sponsors of the league, in this case Gatorade, not for the league itself. So was Gatorade the one that actually prompted the league to issue the fine?
The whole ordeal seems to be a desperate attempt by the NFL and its sponsors to keep their iron grip over their players and any other companies that dare get in their collective way. But it is Urlacher and the drink company, Vitamin Water, that will get the last laugh. $100,000 is a small price to pay for the publicity they will receive from the incident.
I don't know about you, but I'm really thirsty all of a sudden.
04/18 Boston 4, Toronto 1
The knuckleball pitcher may be a dying art in the big leagues, but don't tell the Blue Jays that.
Tim Wakefield allowed 4 hits on 7 innings against the Jays, and only allowed 1 run off of John MacDonald in the 7th.
Tomo Ohka continued to struggle, losing his 2nd game of the season. He had much better stuff against the Red Sox, only allowing 4 hits. The problem was 3 of those hits were solo home runs.
Toronto's bats struggled for the second straight night, as no Jay had multiple hits in the game.
The rubber match of the first series between these teams goes on Thursday, with Jay ace Roy Halladay going for Toronto.
WP: Wakefield (2-1)
LP: Ohka (0-2)
SV: Papelbon (3)
Toronto (8-6) Boston (8-5)
Tim Wakefield allowed 4 hits on 7 innings against the Jays, and only allowed 1 run off of John MacDonald in the 7th.
Tomo Ohka continued to struggle, losing his 2nd game of the season. He had much better stuff against the Red Sox, only allowing 4 hits. The problem was 3 of those hits were solo home runs.
Toronto's bats struggled for the second straight night, as no Jay had multiple hits in the game.
The rubber match of the first series between these teams goes on Thursday, with Jay ace Roy Halladay going for Toronto.
WP: Wakefield (2-1)
LP: Ohka (0-2)
SV: Papelbon (3)
Toronto (8-6) Boston (8-5)
04/17 Toronto 2, Boston 1
The Jays spoiled Dice-K's first trip north of 49 by squeaking out a 2-1 win in another fierce battle between 2 strong pitchers.
Matsuzaka pitched a gem, and would have gotten the win if Boston's bats were able to solve Gustavo Chacin. Chacin allowed 6 hits in over 6 innings, but only gave up a solo home run to Pena in the 3rd.
Dice-K pitched a 3-hitter in his 6 innings of work, but allowed 2 runs in the 4th when he lost control of his pitches and walked in what would be the winning run.
Aaron Hill was hitless, but he still leads the team in BAA with a .354 average. Alex Rios' season long hitting streak came to an end against the Red Sox as well.
WP: Chacin (2-0)
LP: Matsuzaka (1-2)
SV: Frasor (1)
Toronto (8-5) Boston (7-5)
Matsuzaka pitched a gem, and would have gotten the win if Boston's bats were able to solve Gustavo Chacin. Chacin allowed 6 hits in over 6 innings, but only gave up a solo home run to Pena in the 3rd.
Dice-K pitched a 3-hitter in his 6 innings of work, but allowed 2 runs in the 4th when he lost control of his pitches and walked in what would be the winning run.
Aaron Hill was hitless, but he still leads the team in BAA with a .354 average. Alex Rios' season long hitting streak came to an end against the Red Sox as well.
WP: Chacin (2-0)
LP: Matsuzaka (1-2)
SV: Frasor (1)
Toronto (8-5) Boston (7-5)
Sunday, April 15, 2007
04/15 Toronto 2, Detroit 1
The Jays split their series with Detroit on Sunday, winning 2-1 largely due to the outstanding pitching of Josh Towers.
Yes, that Josh Towers. 1 win in '06 Josh Towers.
Towers gave up the only run of the day, but it was unearned. He only allowed 3 hits through 7 plus innings, picking up his first win of the year.
The Jays' bats did just enough to win, scattering 7 hits throughout the game. John MacDonald was responsible for knocking in the winning run in the 7th.
Toronto closer B.J. Ryan, who blew his second save of the year on Saturday, was placed on the D.L. after the game.
The Jays get Monday off, then host Boston for the first time this year on Tuesday. Dice-K starts against Chacin. Should be good.
WP: Towers (1-1)
LP: Robertson (2-1)
SV: Marcum (1)
Toronto (7-5) Detroit (7-5)
Yes, that Josh Towers. 1 win in '06 Josh Towers.
Towers gave up the only run of the day, but it was unearned. He only allowed 3 hits through 7 plus innings, picking up his first win of the year.
The Jays' bats did just enough to win, scattering 7 hits throughout the game. John MacDonald was responsible for knocking in the winning run in the 7th.
Toronto closer B.J. Ryan, who blew his second save of the year on Saturday, was placed on the D.L. after the game.
The Jays get Monday off, then host Boston for the first time this year on Tuesday. Dice-K starts against Chacin. Should be good.
WP: Towers (1-1)
LP: Robertson (2-1)
SV: Marcum (1)
Toronto (7-5) Detroit (7-5)
Saturday, April 14, 2007
04/14 Detroit 10, Toronto 7
Toronto's worst inning on Saturday afternoon came at the worst time: the 9th.
B.J. Ryan, who only blew 4 saves in 2006, lost his second opportunity to close out a game this year, losing the lead and the game to the Tigers.
The Jays did have their best day with the longball, knocking out 3 (Wells, Rios, Overbay).
A.J. Burnett was average, giving up 4 in 5 plus innings.
The series ends on Sunday, with Josh Towers going for Toronto.
WP: Ledezma (2-0)
LP: Ryan (0-2)
SV: Jones (6)
Toronto (6-5) Detroit (7-4)
B.J. Ryan, who only blew 4 saves in 2006, lost his second opportunity to close out a game this year, losing the lead and the game to the Tigers.
The Jays did have their best day with the longball, knocking out 3 (Wells, Rios, Overbay).
A.J. Burnett was average, giving up 4 in 5 plus innings.
The series ends on Sunday, with Josh Towers going for Toronto.
WP: Ledezma (2-0)
LP: Ryan (0-2)
SV: Jones (6)
Toronto (6-5) Detroit (7-4)
04/13 Toronto 2, Detroit 1 (10)
The game of the young season so far.
Roy Halladay and Jeremy Bonderman each pitched a gem, but Doc got the last laugh in a 2-1 extra inning nailbiter.
Halladay went all 10 innings for Toronto, allowing 6 hits and only the one run, a homer to Ordonez in the 2nd.
Offensively, the star for the Jays was Alex Rios, who continued his season long hitting streak with a homer in the 1st, and knocking in the winning run by way of a sacrifice fly.
WP: Halladay (2-0)
LP: Rodney (1-2)
Toronto (6-4) Detroit (6-4)
Roy Halladay and Jeremy Bonderman each pitched a gem, but Doc got the last laugh in a 2-1 extra inning nailbiter.
Halladay went all 10 innings for Toronto, allowing 6 hits and only the one run, a homer to Ordonez in the 2nd.
Offensively, the star for the Jays was Alex Rios, who continued his season long hitting streak with a homer in the 1st, and knocking in the winning run by way of a sacrifice fly.
WP: Halladay (2-0)
LP: Rodney (1-2)
Toronto (6-4) Detroit (6-4)
04/12 Detroit 5, Toronto 4
Toronto scored 2 late, but couldn't fully overcome the deficit, as they lost to the Tigers.
Aaron Hill continued his impressive April, hitting the only homer for the Jays, increasing his average to .400.
Tomo Ohka allowed 5 runs in 6 innings, 4 of them earned.
WP: Maroth (2-0)
LP: Ohka (0-1)
SV: Zumaya (1)
Toronto (5-4) Detroit (6-3)
Aaron Hill continued his impressive April, hitting the only homer for the Jays, increasing his average to .400.
Tomo Ohka allowed 5 runs in 6 innings, 4 of them earned.
WP: Maroth (2-0)
LP: Ohka (0-1)
SV: Zumaya (1)
Toronto (5-4) Detroit (6-3)
Thursday, April 12, 2007
3:30 a.m.? What a way to start!
After one night of NHL playoff action, we had the debut of the next superstar, a defensive struggle out west, and 2 multiple overtime games.
The only down side? There's only 2 months of this to go.
Vancouver and Dallas played a 5 hour marathon, going to the end of the 4th overtime before Henrik Sedin won the game for the Canucks. In the east, the game ended at an ungodly 3:32 a.m., a time usually reserved for anything except live North American sporting events. But this is how the game goes sometimes in the second season, and it shouldn't be any other way.
For those who love the shootout (for the record, I'm one of them), there may be thoughts that the rule should extend to the playoffs. It would be exciting, and the games would end sooner, but ask the fans in Nashville (who stood up throughout the extra time last night), and I think they'd say the rules as they are should stay that way.
4 more games tonight, but they're all in the Eastern Time Zone; maybe the games will end by midnight.
And if not, all the better.
The only down side? There's only 2 months of this to go.
Vancouver and Dallas played a 5 hour marathon, going to the end of the 4th overtime before Henrik Sedin won the game for the Canucks. In the east, the game ended at an ungodly 3:32 a.m., a time usually reserved for anything except live North American sporting events. But this is how the game goes sometimes in the second season, and it shouldn't be any other way.
For those who love the shootout (for the record, I'm one of them), there may be thoughts that the rule should extend to the playoffs. It would be exciting, and the games would end sooner, but ask the fans in Nashville (who stood up throughout the extra time last night), and I think they'd say the rules as they are should stay that way.
4 more games tonight, but they're all in the Eastern Time Zone; maybe the games will end by midnight.
And if not, all the better.
04/11 Toronto 7, Kansas City 4
Toronto recovered nicely from Tuesday's loss to the Royals to take the rubber match of their 3 game series on Wednesday.
Gustavo Chacin was his usual average self, allowing 3 runs in 5 innings of work. The bullpen, criticized last year for costing the club wins, came through again last night, preserving the win for Toronto.
Jason Frasor continued to impress, not allowing a hit in 1 1/3 innings of work, striking out 3 of the 4 hitters he faced.
Aaron Hill added to his team leading .387 average, getting 3 hits and knocking in 3 runs.
The Jays host Detroit this weekend for 4 games, the only time the A.L. champs visit Canada in 2007. Tomo Ohka goes for Toronto.
WP: Chacin (1-0)
LP: De La Rosa (1-1)
SV: Ryan (3)
Toronto (5-3) Kansas City (3-6)
Gustavo Chacin was his usual average self, allowing 3 runs in 5 innings of work. The bullpen, criticized last year for costing the club wins, came through again last night, preserving the win for Toronto.
Jason Frasor continued to impress, not allowing a hit in 1 1/3 innings of work, striking out 3 of the 4 hitters he faced.
Aaron Hill added to his team leading .387 average, getting 3 hits and knocking in 3 runs.
The Jays host Detroit this weekend for 4 games, the only time the A.L. champs visit Canada in 2007. Tomo Ohka goes for Toronto.
WP: Chacin (1-0)
LP: De La Rosa (1-1)
SV: Ryan (3)
Toronto (5-3) Kansas City (3-6)
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
04/10 Kansas City 6, Toronto 3
It was a little something old, and a little something new for Josh Towers in his first start of the '07 campaign.
Towers was much better in terms of his control against the Royals, but the runs didn't stop, and Towers lost the game.
But it definately wasn't all his fault; the Jays committed an atrocious 4 errors on the night, leading to 3 unearned runs.
The offence was stagnant, with Gregg Zaun's pinch hit home run providing the main scoring for Toronto.
The rubber match goes Wednesday, with Gustavo Chacin going for the Jays.
WP: Greinke (1-1)
LP: Towers (0-1)
SV: Soria (1)
Toronto (4-3) Kansas City (3-5)
Towers was much better in terms of his control against the Royals, but the runs didn't stop, and Towers lost the game.
But it definately wasn't all his fault; the Jays committed an atrocious 4 errors on the night, leading to 3 unearned runs.
The offence was stagnant, with Gregg Zaun's pinch hit home run providing the main scoring for Toronto.
The rubber match goes Wednesday, with Gustavo Chacin going for the Jays.
WP: Greinke (1-1)
LP: Towers (0-1)
SV: Soria (1)
Toronto (4-3) Kansas City (3-5)
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
NHL Playoff Predictions
Well, it's that time of year again: the time when I fail miserably at predicting the outcome of sporting events. Today, the NHL playoffs.
Eastern Conference:
N.Y. Islanders v Buffalo: The Islanders snuck into the postseason this year (what else do you call a shootout win combined with double digit overtime/shootout losses?) and they lost their top 2 goaltenders in the process. But this is the playoffs, and everyone's 0-0 now. Unfortunately, they're playing the Sabres, so they won't be playing for long. Sabres in 5.
Tampa Bay v New Jersey: In the postseason, it is nearly impossible to win without good to superb goaltending. Tampa Bay has Johan Holmqvist, New Jersey has Martin Brodeur. Nuff said. Devils in 5.
N.Y. Rangers v Atlanta: This is the first Thrashers' appearance in the playoffs, and they tried to boost their chances at the trade deadline by acquiring Keith Tkachuk and Alexei Zhitnik. But the Rangers have better goaltending and Stanley Cup winners in Brendan Shananan and Jaromir Jagr. Rangers in 6.
Pittsburgh v Ottawa: The best matchup in the East features two teams with little to no playoff experience (or, I should say in Ottawa's case, success) and two teams without proven goaltending or decent size in a tournament that traditionally requires both. However, this series will go down in history as Sidney Crosby's first playoff series. I think he'll win it. Pens in 7.
Western Conference:
Calgary v Detroit: Normally, I'd take the Flames here, what with the playoff success of Calgary and the recent struggles of Detroit, but with the Flames horrid road record this year, I think the Red Wings will succeed this year. At least in the first round. Red Wings in 6.
Minnesota v Anaheim: I confess, I know little about the Minnesota Wild. They traditionally have strong defence and goaltending, and it seems they continued that this year. But Anaheim is built for the playoffs, and they'll likely prove that in the first round. Ducks in 6.
Dallas v Vancouver: The "First Goal Wins" series. It'll be Vancouver. I don't have a solid reason for this expect to say that Roberto Luongo is one of the best goalies in the league, and it's time for him to be in, and succeed, in the playoffs. Canucks in 7.
San Jose v Nashville: If you know me at all, you'll know this pick already. But the Sharks do have the stronger offence, defence, goaltending, speed, size, blah blah blah (or if you prefer Bob Loblaw) Sharks in 6.
There you have it. Games start Wednesday. Go Sharks.
Eastern Conference:
N.Y. Islanders v Buffalo: The Islanders snuck into the postseason this year (what else do you call a shootout win combined with double digit overtime/shootout losses?) and they lost their top 2 goaltenders in the process. But this is the playoffs, and everyone's 0-0 now. Unfortunately, they're playing the Sabres, so they won't be playing for long. Sabres in 5.
Tampa Bay v New Jersey: In the postseason, it is nearly impossible to win without good to superb goaltending. Tampa Bay has Johan Holmqvist, New Jersey has Martin Brodeur. Nuff said. Devils in 5.
N.Y. Rangers v Atlanta: This is the first Thrashers' appearance in the playoffs, and they tried to boost their chances at the trade deadline by acquiring Keith Tkachuk and Alexei Zhitnik. But the Rangers have better goaltending and Stanley Cup winners in Brendan Shananan and Jaromir Jagr. Rangers in 6.
Pittsburgh v Ottawa: The best matchup in the East features two teams with little to no playoff experience (or, I should say in Ottawa's case, success) and two teams without proven goaltending or decent size in a tournament that traditionally requires both. However, this series will go down in history as Sidney Crosby's first playoff series. I think he'll win it. Pens in 7.
Western Conference:
Calgary v Detroit: Normally, I'd take the Flames here, what with the playoff success of Calgary and the recent struggles of Detroit, but with the Flames horrid road record this year, I think the Red Wings will succeed this year. At least in the first round. Red Wings in 6.
Minnesota v Anaheim: I confess, I know little about the Minnesota Wild. They traditionally have strong defence and goaltending, and it seems they continued that this year. But Anaheim is built for the playoffs, and they'll likely prove that in the first round. Ducks in 6.
Dallas v Vancouver: The "First Goal Wins" series. It'll be Vancouver. I don't have a solid reason for this expect to say that Roberto Luongo is one of the best goalies in the league, and it's time for him to be in, and succeed, in the playoffs. Canucks in 7.
San Jose v Nashville: If you know me at all, you'll know this pick already. But the Sharks do have the stronger offence, defence, goaltending, speed, size, blah blah blah (or if you prefer Bob Loblaw) Sharks in 6.
There you have it. Games start Wednesday. Go Sharks.
04/09 Toronto 9, Kansas City 1
It was certainly a fantastic home opener for the Blue Jays and A.J. Burnett.
Burnett shrugged off his weak first start to pitch 6 2/3 solid innings, only allowing a solo home run in his last inning of work.
The Jays' offence showed up as advertised and, under a sellout crowd, knocked in 9, coincidentally the same number they scored in Burnett's loss in Detroit. Vernon Wells knocked out his 2nd homer of the year, and Aaron Hill led the team with 3 hits on Monday.
Every Jay hitter in the starting lineup got a hit in the home opener.
The series continues on Tuesday, with Josh Towers getting his first start of the year.
WP: Burnett (1-1)
LP: Perez (0-2)
Toronto (4-2) Kansas City (2-5)
Burnett shrugged off his weak first start to pitch 6 2/3 solid innings, only allowing a solo home run in his last inning of work.
The Jays' offence showed up as advertised and, under a sellout crowd, knocked in 9, coincidentally the same number they scored in Burnett's loss in Detroit. Vernon Wells knocked out his 2nd homer of the year, and Aaron Hill led the team with 3 hits on Monday.
Every Jay hitter in the starting lineup got a hit in the home opener.
The series continues on Tuesday, with Josh Towers getting his first start of the year.
WP: Burnett (1-1)
LP: Perez (0-2)
Toronto (4-2) Kansas City (2-5)
Monday, April 9, 2007
Missing The Extra Point
So, the NHL season is over, and as promised, here are the standings if there was no single point awarded for losing in overtime or a shootout.
EAST:
1) Buffalo (53-29)
2) New Jersey (49-33)
3) Tampa Bay (44-38)
4) Ottawa (48-34)
5) Pittsburgh (47-35)
6) Atlanta (43-39)
7) N.Y. Rangers (42-40)
8) Montreal (42-40)
Tied for 9th - N.Y. Islanders, Toronto, Carolina (40-42)
WEST:
1) Nashville (51-31)
2) San Jose (51-31)
3) Vancouver (49-33)
4) Detroit (50-32)
5) Dallas (50-32)
6) Anaheim (48-34)
7) Minnesota (48-34)
8) Colorado (44-38)
9) Calgary (43-39)
So, there you have it. Without the extra point, Montreal makes the playoffs, while Calgary does not. Nashville and Tampa Bay win their respective divisions. Anaheim, currently #2 in the West, starts the playoffs on the road as the #6 seed.
Is it time for a change? I think so, but it likely won't happen. But after this season, Montreal and Colorado may want one.
EAST:
1) Buffalo (53-29)
2) New Jersey (49-33)
3) Tampa Bay (44-38)
4) Ottawa (48-34)
5) Pittsburgh (47-35)
6) Atlanta (43-39)
7) N.Y. Rangers (42-40)
8) Montreal (42-40)
Tied for 9th - N.Y. Islanders, Toronto, Carolina (40-42)
WEST:
1) Nashville (51-31)
2) San Jose (51-31)
3) Vancouver (49-33)
4) Detroit (50-32)
5) Dallas (50-32)
6) Anaheim (48-34)
7) Minnesota (48-34)
8) Colorado (44-38)
9) Calgary (43-39)
So, there you have it. Without the extra point, Montreal makes the playoffs, while Calgary does not. Nashville and Tampa Bay win their respective divisions. Anaheim, currently #2 in the West, starts the playoffs on the road as the #6 seed.
Is it time for a change? I think so, but it likely won't happen. But after this season, Montreal and Colorado may want one.
04/08 Toronto 6, Tampa Bay 3
I'm a little behind on this, so here's a quick summary.
Roy Halladay got his first win of the year, and it was well deserved. Halladay pitched 7 strong innings, giving up 3 while striking out 7.
Vernon Wells cashed in his first cheque with his first homerun of the season.
WP: Halladay (1-0)
LP: Kazmir (0-1)
Toronto (3-2) Tampa Bay (2-3)
Roy Halladay got his first win of the year, and it was well deserved. Halladay pitched 7 strong innings, giving up 3 while striking out 7.
Vernon Wells cashed in his first cheque with his first homerun of the season.
WP: Halladay (1-0)
LP: Kazmir (0-1)
Toronto (3-2) Tampa Bay (2-3)
Saturday, April 7, 2007
04/07 Toronto 8, Tampa Bay 5
Toronto avenged their opening game loss to the Rays on Friday by beating Tampa 8-5 on Saturday night.
On a night when not even the announcers expected an audience ("We have some hard-core baseball fans watching us tonight with a rather important hockey game going on in Toronto right now", Sportsnet announcer Jamie Campbell said), Toronto jumped out to a 6-1 lead by the 2nd inning, thanks in large part to Frank Thomas' first homerun as a Jay, a grand slam to boot.
Tampa clawed their way back to 7-5 by the 4th, but Toronto held on, and added one more in the 9th to seal the win.
Tomo Ohka was average in 4 1/3 innings pitched, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits. Shaun Marcum was lights out, striking out 5 in 2 1/3 innings, not allowing a hit in that time.
The rubber match goes on Sunday, with Roy Halladay getting his second start of the year.
WP: Shaun Marcum (1-0)
LP: Casey Fossum (0-1)
SV: B.J. Ryan (2)
Toronto (2-2) Tampa Bay (2-2)
On a night when not even the announcers expected an audience ("We have some hard-core baseball fans watching us tonight with a rather important hockey game going on in Toronto right now", Sportsnet announcer Jamie Campbell said), Toronto jumped out to a 6-1 lead by the 2nd inning, thanks in large part to Frank Thomas' first homerun as a Jay, a grand slam to boot.
Tampa clawed their way back to 7-5 by the 4th, but Toronto held on, and added one more in the 9th to seal the win.
Tomo Ohka was average in 4 1/3 innings pitched, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits. Shaun Marcum was lights out, striking out 5 in 2 1/3 innings, not allowing a hit in that time.
The rubber match goes on Sunday, with Roy Halladay getting his second start of the year.
WP: Shaun Marcum (1-0)
LP: Casey Fossum (0-1)
SV: B.J. Ryan (2)
Toronto (2-2) Tampa Bay (2-2)
04/06 Tampa Bay 6, Toronto 5
It was all for naught.
After being down 3-0 to the Tampa Bay Rays (the devil is silent) through 5, the Jays tied it up with three of their own in the top of the 7th, then got a 2-run homerun from Troy Glaus in the 8th to take the lead 5-3.
Then B.J. Ryan came in to seal the deal, and the deal was blown wide open.
Ryan allowed a 2 run homerun to Delmon Young to tie the game at 5, then B.J. Upton hit a chop single that shortstop Royce Clayton couldn't handle to give Tampa the win.
Gustavo Chacin was decent in his first start of '07, allowing 6 hits over 6 innings, but gave up 3 solo homers to the Rays young offence.
Besides Glaus' homerun, the other offensive star for Toronto was second baseman Aaron Hill, the only Jay with more than one hit in the game.
Tomo Ohka get the start on Saturday in Tampa.
WP: Jae Kuk Ryu (1-0)
LP: B.J. Ryan (0-1)
Toronto (1-2) Tampa Bay (2-1)
After being down 3-0 to the Tampa Bay Rays (the devil is silent) through 5, the Jays tied it up with three of their own in the top of the 7th, then got a 2-run homerun from Troy Glaus in the 8th to take the lead 5-3.
Then B.J. Ryan came in to seal the deal, and the deal was blown wide open.
Ryan allowed a 2 run homerun to Delmon Young to tie the game at 5, then B.J. Upton hit a chop single that shortstop Royce Clayton couldn't handle to give Tampa the win.
Gustavo Chacin was decent in his first start of '07, allowing 6 hits over 6 innings, but gave up 3 solo homers to the Rays young offence.
Besides Glaus' homerun, the other offensive star for Toronto was second baseman Aaron Hill, the only Jay with more than one hit in the game.
Tomo Ohka get the start on Saturday in Tampa.
WP: Jae Kuk Ryu (1-0)
LP: B.J. Ryan (0-1)
Toronto (1-2) Tampa Bay (2-1)
Thursday, April 5, 2007
04/05 Toronto at Detroit, Postponed
Today's game in Detroit was postponed due to inclement weather, i.e. super cold temperatures. The game was rescheduled for September 10.
Chacin gets his first start in Tampa now, as the Jays play the Rays on Friday.
Toronto (1-1)
Chacin gets his first start in Tampa now, as the Jays play the Rays on Friday.
Toronto (1-1)
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
04/04 Detroit 10, Toronto 9
The Jays made it interesting on game #2 of the 2007 campaign, but in the end, they were not able to overcome a poor performance by A.J. Burnett.
Burnett was pulled in the 3rd inning, after allowing 4 runs. Shaun Marcum then came in and gave up a grand slam to Curtis Granderson in the 3rd, with 2 of those runs being charged to the Jays' starter.
After giving up another run in the 4th, Toronto was down 9-0 and it seemed that the game was completely out of reach.
But the best part about baseball is simply this: no matter what the score, the winning team has to get 27 outs, and there's no running out the clock.
The Jays cut the lead to 9-2 in the 6th, but gave up one more run in the bottom half of the seventh. That's when Toronto's much hyped offence took over.
Toronto put 7 up on the board in the 8th, cutting the lead to one. But it was that last run that proved elusive, as Detroit held on to even the opening week series.
Each Toronto batter from leadoff through to the seven hole had two hits in the ball game, with Royce Clayton being the only starter not to get a hit off of Tiger pitching on Wednesday.
Jason Smith stole the show for the offence, knocking in 3 on his pinch hit triple in the 8th. Both Vernon Wells and Alex Rios had 2 RBI's for Toronto.
A.J. Burnett had an awful game, giving up 6 earned runs from 5 hits in 2 plus innings. He was pegged with the loss.
The Jays try to win the rubber match on Thursday, with Gustavo Chacin getting his first start of 2007. The game goes at 1:05 from Detroit.
WP: Nate Robertson (1-0)
LP: A.J. Burnett (0-1)
SV: Todd Jones (1)
Toronto (1-1) Detroit (1-1)
Burnett was pulled in the 3rd inning, after allowing 4 runs. Shaun Marcum then came in and gave up a grand slam to Curtis Granderson in the 3rd, with 2 of those runs being charged to the Jays' starter.
After giving up another run in the 4th, Toronto was down 9-0 and it seemed that the game was completely out of reach.
But the best part about baseball is simply this: no matter what the score, the winning team has to get 27 outs, and there's no running out the clock.
The Jays cut the lead to 9-2 in the 6th, but gave up one more run in the bottom half of the seventh. That's when Toronto's much hyped offence took over.
Toronto put 7 up on the board in the 8th, cutting the lead to one. But it was that last run that proved elusive, as Detroit held on to even the opening week series.
Each Toronto batter from leadoff through to the seven hole had two hits in the ball game, with Royce Clayton being the only starter not to get a hit off of Tiger pitching on Wednesday.
Jason Smith stole the show for the offence, knocking in 3 on his pinch hit triple in the 8th. Both Vernon Wells and Alex Rios had 2 RBI's for Toronto.
A.J. Burnett had an awful game, giving up 6 earned runs from 5 hits in 2 plus innings. He was pegged with the loss.
The Jays try to win the rubber match on Thursday, with Gustavo Chacin getting his first start of 2007. The game goes at 1:05 from Detroit.
WP: Nate Robertson (1-0)
LP: A.J. Burnett (0-1)
SV: Todd Jones (1)
Toronto (1-1) Detroit (1-1)
Monday, April 2, 2007
04/02 Toronto 5, Detroit 3 (10)
Here I present the first in a 162 part report, the Blue Jays in 2007.
Opening day from Detroit saw the Tigers struggle early, as Toronto scored 3 in the first inning. From there, Detroit clawed their way back, breaking Roy Halladay's shutout in the 3rd, then adding two more in the 5th to tie it at 3.
From there, it went to extras, as Troy Glaus hit a single with the bases loaded to give the Jays the lead and the win, 5-3.
First baseman Lyle Overbay was the only Jay to have more than one hit in the game, but it was Alex Rios, rumoured to be trade bait for a pitching upgrade, who knocked in 2 for Toronto.
The Jays, who were among the league's worst at stolen bases in '06, got two today by Vernon Wells and Reed Johnson.
For Detroit, Placido Polanco had the best game offensively, going 3 for 5 with an RBI. Gary Sheffield brought in 2 on sacrifice flies in his Tiger debut, although he went hitless against the Jays.
Roy Halladay pitched 6 solid innings, giving up 6 hits and 3 runs, 2 of them earned. He struck out four. He did not receive a decision in the game.
Next up for the Jays is game two of the series, going Wednesday in Detroit. It'll be A.J. Burnett on the mound for Toronto.
WP: Jason Frasor (1-0)
LP: Fernando Rodney (0-1)
SV: B.J. Ryan (1)
Toronto (1-0) Detroit (0-1)
Opening day from Detroit saw the Tigers struggle early, as Toronto scored 3 in the first inning. From there, Detroit clawed their way back, breaking Roy Halladay's shutout in the 3rd, then adding two more in the 5th to tie it at 3.
From there, it went to extras, as Troy Glaus hit a single with the bases loaded to give the Jays the lead and the win, 5-3.
First baseman Lyle Overbay was the only Jay to have more than one hit in the game, but it was Alex Rios, rumoured to be trade bait for a pitching upgrade, who knocked in 2 for Toronto.
The Jays, who were among the league's worst at stolen bases in '06, got two today by Vernon Wells and Reed Johnson.
For Detroit, Placido Polanco had the best game offensively, going 3 for 5 with an RBI. Gary Sheffield brought in 2 on sacrifice flies in his Tiger debut, although he went hitless against the Jays.
Roy Halladay pitched 6 solid innings, giving up 6 hits and 3 runs, 2 of them earned. He struck out four. He did not receive a decision in the game.
Next up for the Jays is game two of the series, going Wednesday in Detroit. It'll be A.J. Burnett on the mound for Toronto.
WP: Jason Frasor (1-0)
LP: Fernando Rodney (0-1)
SV: B.J. Ryan (1)
Toronto (1-0) Detroit (0-1)
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Is This The Raptors Year? Don't Bet On It
Toronto is abuzz over their NBA franchise, as the Raptors seem poised to win their division, thus likely earning them a home court advantage in their first round series.
But there is talk that this year could see the Raptors advance further than ever before, which would mean at least a trip to the Eastern Conference finals. Of course, the Raps best playoff performance came to an end when Toronto lost to the Sixers in a fantastic seven game East semi.
With a weak conference, and an improving team, could this be the year? Likely not.
Toronto currently stands in 3rd, thanks to tonight's win over Miami. But with their playoff experience, the odds are good that the Raps will finish in 4th in the East, likely drawing Chicago in the first round.
The Bulls are a formidale opponent, but are beatable. Assuming Toronto does so, they would then draw the top seed in the East, likely Detroit. Here, the Raptors do not stand a chance. Detroit is on par with the elite in the West, and as a result, is miles ahead of the rest of the pathetic Eastern conference.
So while the Raptors should be commended for a fantastic turnaround season, and be hopeful that this is a sign of things to come, don't bet on them getting to the conference finals.
But there is talk that this year could see the Raptors advance further than ever before, which would mean at least a trip to the Eastern Conference finals. Of course, the Raps best playoff performance came to an end when Toronto lost to the Sixers in a fantastic seven game East semi.
With a weak conference, and an improving team, could this be the year? Likely not.
Toronto currently stands in 3rd, thanks to tonight's win over Miami. But with their playoff experience, the odds are good that the Raps will finish in 4th in the East, likely drawing Chicago in the first round.
The Bulls are a formidale opponent, but are beatable. Assuming Toronto does so, they would then draw the top seed in the East, likely Detroit. Here, the Raptors do not stand a chance. Detroit is on par with the elite in the West, and as a result, is miles ahead of the rest of the pathetic Eastern conference.
So while the Raptors should be commended for a fantastic turnaround season, and be hopeful that this is a sign of things to come, don't bet on them getting to the conference finals.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Random Ramblings
First, when the NHL playoffs are finally set (and now it looks like that won't happen until the last game on the last day of the season), I will formally make my predictions for the playoffs, round by round. But suffice to say, I will be picking the San Jose Sharks to win the Cup. Money can't buy the level of loyalty I bring to the table...
Second, once the season ends, I will present the real final standings, without the 1 point added for a loss in overtime or in a shootout. It'll be interesting to see how drastically the seedings will change.
Third, wasn't the best part of March Madness supposed to be the upsets by the small schools the vast majority of people haven't heard of? So why does this year feature #1 Florida against #2 UCLA, and #1 Ohio State against #2 Georgetown? Something has to change with the selection process, because too many schools with big names in big conferences get in, leaving the lesser ones to gasp for air in the NIT. The only positive: how cool would it be to see Florida against Ohio State in the basketball final too? I'm sure someone will check, but I doubt the same two schools have played for both the football and basketball Division I championships in the same year. I still say Boise State should have gotten a shot at the title...
Fourth, I don't care about spring training. There, I said it. I love baseball (yes, I know what you're thinking, how? and why?) but the season is already 60 games too long. Spring training should be cut in half, and with all this extra time made, let's add more teams to the playoffs already! Every season, in about mid-May, a third of the teams in the league realize they have no shot at October glory. Let's give fans in cities like Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, and Milwaukee some hope. And heck, some to Chicago too. Cubs fans anyways.
Fifth, call me an optimist, but I think the Blue Jays will make the playoffs this year. Either Boston or New York will falter in August, and there will be an opening for Toronto to at least make the wild card spot. I hope.
Sixth, you want Americans to watch hockey again? Stop putting it on Sunday afternoons at 12:30, and get a real national network to broadcast the weekday games. If you make it an event, they will watch.
That's my ramblings for tonight. NHL picks coming soon...
Second, once the season ends, I will present the real final standings, without the 1 point added for a loss in overtime or in a shootout. It'll be interesting to see how drastically the seedings will change.
Third, wasn't the best part of March Madness supposed to be the upsets by the small schools the vast majority of people haven't heard of? So why does this year feature #1 Florida against #2 UCLA, and #1 Ohio State against #2 Georgetown? Something has to change with the selection process, because too many schools with big names in big conferences get in, leaving the lesser ones to gasp for air in the NIT. The only positive: how cool would it be to see Florida against Ohio State in the basketball final too? I'm sure someone will check, but I doubt the same two schools have played for both the football and basketball Division I championships in the same year. I still say Boise State should have gotten a shot at the title...
Fourth, I don't care about spring training. There, I said it. I love baseball (yes, I know what you're thinking, how? and why?) but the season is already 60 games too long. Spring training should be cut in half, and with all this extra time made, let's add more teams to the playoffs already! Every season, in about mid-May, a third of the teams in the league realize they have no shot at October glory. Let's give fans in cities like Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, and Milwaukee some hope. And heck, some to Chicago too. Cubs fans anyways.
Fifth, call me an optimist, but I think the Blue Jays will make the playoffs this year. Either Boston or New York will falter in August, and there will be an opening for Toronto to at least make the wild card spot. I hope.
Sixth, you want Americans to watch hockey again? Stop putting it on Sunday afternoons at 12:30, and get a real national network to broadcast the weekday games. If you make it an event, they will watch.
That's my ramblings for tonight. NHL picks coming soon...
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Sabres and Senators Create Interest For All The Wrong Reasons
Thursday night saw one of the biggest brawls in recent NHL history, when a clean open ice hit caused players from the Buffalo Sabres and the Ottawa Senators to fight each other for what seems like 2 solid days now.
The media showed all the highlights (if you can call them that) from Thursday night until tonight's "much anticipated" rematch between the two Northeast division clubs. One network, the Score, called it "probably the best game of the season". I propose it wasn't because of the 6-5 shootout final score. Even ESPN, long ignoring hockey in the post-lockout world, covered the brawl fairly early in their SportsCenter broadcast. (As an aside, I know we Canadians spell Centre, well, like that, but the ESPN program is spelt as above.)
All this brawl has led to is a black eye on the league. The post-lockout NHL was designed for skill players, higher scoring games, and highlight-making goals, assists, and saves. At least that's what I thought the new rules were intended to do.
But through all of that, the league kept fighting as a part of the game. The proponents of fighting argue that it is a confidence booster to a team when a player wins a fight, and it is that type of event that can turn a game around. I prefer to believe that a timely goal, big save, or key penalty kill is more effective.
In order to be successful in the U.S. again, the league must market its talent and its game, and they're doing that for the most part. But when the Sabres and Senators fought like this, all it did was prove to the uneducated fan that this game is for the uneducated.
Fighting has no place in team sport, and hockey is the only one that doesn't realize it. Get fighting out of the game for good, and market the game on its laurels.
The media showed all the highlights (if you can call them that) from Thursday night until tonight's "much anticipated" rematch between the two Northeast division clubs. One network, the Score, called it "probably the best game of the season". I propose it wasn't because of the 6-5 shootout final score. Even ESPN, long ignoring hockey in the post-lockout world, covered the brawl fairly early in their SportsCenter broadcast. (As an aside, I know we Canadians spell Centre, well, like that, but the ESPN program is spelt as above.)
All this brawl has led to is a black eye on the league. The post-lockout NHL was designed for skill players, higher scoring games, and highlight-making goals, assists, and saves. At least that's what I thought the new rules were intended to do.
But through all of that, the league kept fighting as a part of the game. The proponents of fighting argue that it is a confidence booster to a team when a player wins a fight, and it is that type of event that can turn a game around. I prefer to believe that a timely goal, big save, or key penalty kill is more effective.
In order to be successful in the U.S. again, the league must market its talent and its game, and they're doing that for the most part. But when the Sabres and Senators fought like this, all it did was prove to the uneducated fan that this game is for the uneducated.
Fighting has no place in team sport, and hockey is the only one that doesn't realize it. Get fighting out of the game for good, and market the game on its laurels.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
The Losing Reward
In an attempt to eliminate the hated tie from their system, the NHL introduced the shootout to settle games last year to amazing success. The shootout was a hit with fans, both in the stands and on television. But when a team loses, either in a shootout or in overtime, they receive a point.
A point for losing a game. Only in the NHL.
What this has created is a system where teams, especially in the stretch drive, play just to get to overtime so that the single point is guaranteed. This takes away from the excitement that fans are demanding, and more importantly, from the competition that sport is designed for.
Because of this, teams that lose in extra time end up with more points at the end of the season than some teams that have more wins. For example, there is a 5 point differential from the Anaheim Ducks and the San Jose Sharks this year, but San Jose has one more win. The Ducks lead the division, though, because of their 8 overtime/shootout losses.
I am completely in favour of the shootout, but the team that loses should not receive a point for failing to win a game. This will keep teams from dumping and chasing in the third period in order to get the sure point, and it will also ensure that teams who win games are seeded higher than teams who lose in overtime.
It's time for the league to stop rewarding teams for losing with the "loser point". It's time for a change.
A point for losing a game. Only in the NHL.
What this has created is a system where teams, especially in the stretch drive, play just to get to overtime so that the single point is guaranteed. This takes away from the excitement that fans are demanding, and more importantly, from the competition that sport is designed for.
Because of this, teams that lose in extra time end up with more points at the end of the season than some teams that have more wins. For example, there is a 5 point differential from the Anaheim Ducks and the San Jose Sharks this year, but San Jose has one more win. The Ducks lead the division, though, because of their 8 overtime/shootout losses.
I am completely in favour of the shootout, but the team that loses should not receive a point for failing to win a game. This will keep teams from dumping and chasing in the third period in order to get the sure point, and it will also ensure that teams who win games are seeded higher than teams who lose in overtime.
It's time for the league to stop rewarding teams for losing with the "loser point". It's time for a change.
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Super Bowl XLI
So, we're finally here: Super Bowl 41 is less than 24 hours away, and 2 weeks of breakdowns, panel discussions, and human interest stories will be wittled down to a 3 hour game with a much longer pre-game show. But, alas, that is the current state of the NFL Championship Game, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Colts (7) vs. Bears = The league's most talented quarterback against one of the league's best defences. The first two African-American head coaches to lead their teams to the Super Bowl. Great running game against a weak run defence. Can Peyton Manning win the big one? Will Rex Grossman be the worst quarterback to win the Super Bowl? Or will a win by Chicago take away all of his critics once and for all?
Blah Blah Blah.
The fact is Indianapolis is a better team, and, even with the Bears' strong defence, Peyton Manning has the ability and the help around him to defeat it. On the other side, the Colts' fantastic pass rush will knock Rex Grossman around to the point where he will be forced to rush his throws. If Chicago runs the ball virtually every down, they have a chance. But if they do, it will be a dull game. Indy scores early and forces a shootout, which Chicago cannot compete with.
All that said, I'd take the points here.
Colts 31-27. Bears to cover.
Playoff record: 7-3 (against spread)
Colts (7) vs. Bears = The league's most talented quarterback against one of the league's best defences. The first two African-American head coaches to lead their teams to the Super Bowl. Great running game against a weak run defence. Can Peyton Manning win the big one? Will Rex Grossman be the worst quarterback to win the Super Bowl? Or will a win by Chicago take away all of his critics once and for all?
Blah Blah Blah.
The fact is Indianapolis is a better team, and, even with the Bears' strong defence, Peyton Manning has the ability and the help around him to defeat it. On the other side, the Colts' fantastic pass rush will knock Rex Grossman around to the point where he will be forced to rush his throws. If Chicago runs the ball virtually every down, they have a chance. But if they do, it will be a dull game. Indy scores early and forces a shootout, which Chicago cannot compete with.
All that said, I'd take the points here.
Colts 31-27. Bears to cover.
Playoff record: 7-3 (against spread)
Thursday, January 25, 2007
NHL All Star Break
Last night was the first All Star Game in the NHL in 3 years, and it lived up to its expectations. With a 12-9 final score, goaltenders and hard-hitting defencemen were resigned to watch the league's best skill players put on an offensive show for the fans. But the bigger story happened off the ice; the league has decided, by the slimmest of margins, to keep the current schedule format for one more year.
Under the current format, teams play within their own division a total of 32 times (8 games versus 4 opponents) which takes up almost half of a team's schedule for a season. Also, there is one division in the opposing conference which a team will not meet at all. While the format will be looked at again next year, and probably changed, this is not enough. The league is one, not truly separated by division or conference lines. Unlike baseball, which has a rich history of two distinct leagues, hockey has constantly rebuilt as it has expanded, and forcing division rivalries down the fan's throats only results in teams and fans getting sick of playing a team.
Take the Leafs, for example. They played the Bruins 5 times in a span of a month, and when that happens, no rivalry can be established. All it means is that if a Leafs/Bruins game is crucial late in the season, they won't have many opportunities to play each other.
I have long been a proponent of ditching the division/conference setup, and simply allowing the best 16 teams to make the playoffs. But I know that this option is extremely unlikely, so how about this - let each team play each team every season.
Yes, there should be rivalry games set up, and those teams should play each other more often, but the league should be more creative in it. Like setting up games between Original six or all-Canadian franchises would be more interesting to the average fan than seeing Atlanta play Carolina 8 times a year.
So, here's my plan: 4 games against division teams (2 home, 2 road, 16 total) 4 games against conference teams (2 home, 2 road, 40 total), 1 game against each team in the other conference (8 home, 7 road {alternating each year}, 15 total), and 11 games left over for each team to build their own setup. Original six teams: play each at least once. Canadian teams: play each at least once. But the best part is that all teams can have a say in who they want to play; Los Angeles may choose to host Pittsburgh or Washington an extra time to help fill the arena. Not everyone would get their top choice, but it would allow owners to have a say as to who they play, at least for 11 games a year.
This will create matchups that fans want to see, and it would still allow Calgary to play Edmonton at least 5 times, as well as Toronto and Montreal. Plus, each team would play everyone all year, and the star players like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin would visit your local arena at the bare minimum of once every 2 years.
Here's hoping the NHL makes a concerted effort this off season to fix the schedule, otherwise fans may find themselves on the outside, with no desire to look in.
Super Bowl pick to come next week...
Under the current format, teams play within their own division a total of 32 times (8 games versus 4 opponents) which takes up almost half of a team's schedule for a season. Also, there is one division in the opposing conference which a team will not meet at all. While the format will be looked at again next year, and probably changed, this is not enough. The league is one, not truly separated by division or conference lines. Unlike baseball, which has a rich history of two distinct leagues, hockey has constantly rebuilt as it has expanded, and forcing division rivalries down the fan's throats only results in teams and fans getting sick of playing a team.
Take the Leafs, for example. They played the Bruins 5 times in a span of a month, and when that happens, no rivalry can be established. All it means is that if a Leafs/Bruins game is crucial late in the season, they won't have many opportunities to play each other.
I have long been a proponent of ditching the division/conference setup, and simply allowing the best 16 teams to make the playoffs. But I know that this option is extremely unlikely, so how about this - let each team play each team every season.
Yes, there should be rivalry games set up, and those teams should play each other more often, but the league should be more creative in it. Like setting up games between Original six or all-Canadian franchises would be more interesting to the average fan than seeing Atlanta play Carolina 8 times a year.
So, here's my plan: 4 games against division teams (2 home, 2 road, 16 total) 4 games against conference teams (2 home, 2 road, 40 total), 1 game against each team in the other conference (8 home, 7 road {alternating each year}, 15 total), and 11 games left over for each team to build their own setup. Original six teams: play each at least once. Canadian teams: play each at least once. But the best part is that all teams can have a say in who they want to play; Los Angeles may choose to host Pittsburgh or Washington an extra time to help fill the arena. Not everyone would get their top choice, but it would allow owners to have a say as to who they play, at least for 11 games a year.
This will create matchups that fans want to see, and it would still allow Calgary to play Edmonton at least 5 times, as well as Toronto and Montreal. Plus, each team would play everyone all year, and the star players like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin would visit your local arena at the bare minimum of once every 2 years.
Here's hoping the NHL makes a concerted effort this off season to fix the schedule, otherwise fans may find themselves on the outside, with no desire to look in.
Super Bowl pick to come next week...
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